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THE 


CONSUMPTIVE'S 


GUIDE  TO  HEALTH; 


OR,    THE 


INYALID'S    FIYE   QUESTIOi^S, 


AND    THE 


DOCTOK'S   FIYE   Al^SWERS. 


A     COMPREHENSIVE     PRACTICAL     TREATISE     ON     PULMONARY     CON- 
SUMPTION,  ITS    PREVENTIVE    AND    CURATIVE  TREATMENT, 
ETC.,    ETC.,  ADDRESSED    IN   POPULAR  LANGUAGE 
TO  NON-MEDICAL  READERS,   AND    INCI- 
DENTALLY    TO     PHYSICIANS 
AND    STUDENTS. 


BY 


J.  HAMILTON  POTTER,  M.  D., 

No.    404    BROADWAY. 


SEC 


OND    EDIT/I^^W^V  Titf  ?^        *        ' 


II^EW    Y 
J.    S.    REDFIELDl^yKlN*TON    HALL. 
1  8  5^ 


KC 


3 


ki4  ^ii 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1849,  by 

J.  HAMILTON  POTTER,  M.  D., 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  in  and  for  the 
Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


BAKER,  GODWIN  &  CO.,  PRINTERS, 
Tribune  Buildingt. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  FIRST  EDITION. 


Prompted  by  a  desire  to  study  as  fully  as  possible  the  class 
of  diseases  treated  of  in  the  following  pages,  the  author  was 
sometime  since  induced  to  visit  Europe,  where  superior  hospital 
advantages  are  enjoyed,  and  private  instructions  given  by  the 
most  eminent  physicians  upon  special  diseases,  Auscultation, 
Percussion,  &c.,  &c.  Having  availed  himself  of  these  and  other 
advantages  in  the  colleges  and  hospitals  of  Paris,  Brussels,  Lon- 
don, Dublin,  Glasgow,  Edinburgh,  and  several  other  cities,  he  re- 
turned to  his  native  country,  rejoicing  in  the  belief  that  the  pro- 
gress of  consumption,  bronchitis  and  other  diseases  of  the  chest, 
and  diseases  of  the  throat  can  be  arrested  by  the  hand  of  Science. 
Under  this  belief  he  determined  to  devote  special  attention  to 
the  treatment  of  those  diseases.  He  has  hurriedly  prepared  this 
little  work,  during  detached  moments  snatched  from  his  profes- 
sional engagements,  and  presents  it  to  his  patients,  friends,  and 
the  public — to  whom  the  work  is  respectfully  dedicated — with 
the  sincere  hope  that  it  may  be  instrumental  in  averting  the  rav- 
ages of  the  peculiar  scourges  of  our  climate.  The  author  cor- 
dially invites  just  and  candid  criticism. 

Philadelphia,  Nov.,  1819. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  SECOJ^D  EDITIOX. 


There  are  several  diseases  considered  in  this  edition  which 
were  not  mentioned  in  the  first.  The  diseases  referred  to  are 
frequent  precursors  of  consumption,  and  therefore,  the  author 
thinks  a  consideration  of  them  very  clearly  comports  with  the 
main  subject  upon  which  he  writes.  They  are,  Lengthened  Uvula, 
Tonsillitis,  Laryngitis,  Trachitis,  Asthma,  Fallmg  of  the  Bowels, 
Falling  of  the  Womb,  Fluor  Albus  or  Whites,  Amenorrhoea, 
Dysmenorrhoea,  Chlorosis,  Barrenness,  Dyspepsia,  Constipation, 
Catarrh,  Common  Colds,  &c.,  &c.  Notice  has  not  been  made  of 
all  of  the  diseases  of  the  chest,  the  author  not  wishing  to  extend 
his  work  with  matter  which  he  fears  would  not  interest  the  gen- 
eral reader.  He  has  not  written  upon  Hydrothorax,  Pneumo- 
thorax, or  Hydropneumothorax ;  Cancer.  Apoplexy,  Gangrene,  He- 
patization, Camification,  or  Atrophy  of  the  lungs ;  a  reference  to 
the  glossary,  will  tell  the  reader  what  these  diseases  are.  Very 
little  is  written  upon  diseases  of  the  heart,  as  it  would  require  a 
good  knowledge  of  anatomy  for  the  reader  to  understand  a  paper 
upon  the  subject. 

Female  diseases  are  so  frequently  and  directly  the  causes  of 
consumption  in  ladies,  and  of  inconveniences  which  render  life  so 
burdensome  to  them,  that  the  author  has  been  induced  to  devote 
much   ^attention   to  this  branch  of  the   profession ;  the  success 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

which  has  attended  his  extensive  practice  in  this  line,  has  amply 
repaid  him.  Perhaps  there  is  no  class  of  diseases  upon  which 
the  practitioner  should  devote  more  study;  we  are  to  bear  in 
mind  that  not  more  than  fifteen  ladies  in  every  twenty  are  en- 
tirely exempt  from  some  affection  peculiar  to  their  sex. 


CONTENTS. 


FAGi:. 

Anatomy  and  Physiology, 23 

Auscultation  and  Percussion  of  the  Lungs,    ....  74 

'*          «            "             "      Heart,        ....  77 

Air  and  Exercise, 39 

Abdominal  Supporters,      , 140 

Asthma,  .     .         .         ,         .  -      .        .         .         .         .         .  106 

Amenorrhoea, 123 

Antidotes,    . 174 

Bronchitis, 103 

Bathing,        .        .        , 35 

Beds, 55 

Barrenness, ,        .  126 

Baths, 170 

Climate, r         .         .         .  69 

Complexion,     .        .         .         : 130 

"          Most  liable  to  Consumption,       ....  29 

Clothing, 49 

Crowded  Assemblies,    ........  56 

Cold  Bathing, 35 

Card  to  Invalids, 152 

Catarrh, 102 

Common  Colds, 102 

«        Sore  Throat, 105 

Clergyman's  Sore  Throat,     .        .        .        .        .        .        .  101 

Cases  treated,           .         .         .         .        .         .         ..         ,        •  154 

Credentials, 15 


X  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Counter-poisons,       .        .        . I74 

Constipation,           .         .        .         .         .         .         .         .         .  112 

Chlorosis,         .         .         ........  125 

Cough, 95 

Croup, 100 

Diet, 44 

Diet  for  Invahds, 171 

Dyspepsia, 114 

Diseases  of  the  Air  Passages, 98 

Diarrhea, 96 

Debility, .96 

Dysmenorrhoea, 124 

Early  Marriages,      .........  65 

Enlarged  Tonsils, 98 

Expectoration, 95 

Falling  of  the  Womb, 118 

Female  Diseases,      .         ..         .         .         .         .         .         .116 

Frequent  Pulse,    .........  96 

Formulae  for  Medicated  Baths,  .         .         .         .         .         .170 

Falling  of  the  Bowels,  ........  141 

Glossary, 20 

Heart  Diseases,    .         .         . 107 

"            «        How  detected, 77 

Hereditary  Predisposition,     .......  64 

Hygiene  of  Women,          ........  127 

Hernia, 149 

Haemorrhage, 95 

Introduction,    .........'  9 

Inhaling  Tubes,         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .137 

Jellies,  &c.,           .         .         • 171 

Leucorrhoea,    ...         .......  121 

Lengthened  Uvula, 98 

Laryngitis,        .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         •         .98 

Mind,  &c.,    .         .        .   '     .        .    ■ 57 

Modes  of  generating  Chlorine,  . 93 

Medicated  Baths,          ! 170 

Morbid  Excitement, 70 

Nostrums,  dosing  with,          .......  58 


CONTENTS. 


XI 


Night  Sweats, 

Occupations  which  favor  Consumption, 

On  the  Rearing  of  Children, 

Pulmonary  Consumption,  What  is  it  ?     . 
''  "  Symptoms  of,     . 

"  '*  How  detected, 

"  "  What  causes  it, 

"  "  How  prevented,     . 

"  •'  How  to  be  treated, 


Position,        ..... 
Pneumonia,      .         .         .         .         , 

Preface  to  the  First  Edition,  . 

Preface  to  the  Second  Edition, 

Pleurisy,      ..... 

Prolapsus  Uteri,       .         .        .         . 

Preparations  of  Wild  Cherry, 

Pulmonary  Inhalation  and  Formulae, 

Pain  in  the  Chest, 

Piles,        .         . 

Pessaries,      ..... 

Rearing  Children,    . 

Rupture,       .         .         .         .         , 

Receipts  for  Jellies,  . 

Sleep,   .         .         •         .         . 

Sleeping  Apartments, 

Sore  Throat,         .         .         .         , 

Shoulder-Braces, 

Summary  of  Treatment, 

Symptoms,  how  to  be  treated,  . 

Syrups,  &c.,  .... 

Tight  Lacing,  .... 

Tonsillitis,     .... 

Trachitis,         .         .         .         . 

Trusses,        .... 

Tar  Beer,         .... 

Use  of  Tea,  .... 

Use  of  Tobacco, 

Use  of  Coffee,       .         .        . 


PAGE. 

95 
32 
66 
27 
28 
74 
31 
35 
79 
41 
108 
5 
6 
109 
118 
173 
91 
95 
146 
.19,  143 
66 
149 
171 
52 
52 
105 
135 
91 
95 
172 
67 
98 
100 
149 
173 
50 
51 
50 


Xll  ILLrSTEATlONS. 

PAGE. 

Use  of  Liquors, 50 

Uvula,  elongated,           . 98 

Voice,  Preservation  and  improvement  of,           ....  110 

Voice,  Loss  of,  .110 

Varieties,          .         .                  .......  131 

Various  Diseases,  effects  of,            ......  56 

Water,  hot  and  warm, 63 

Whites,        • 121 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Effeminacy,      .        . 64 

Symmetry  and  Health, 116 

Anatomical  Plate, 23 

Consumptive,        .,......•  41 

Not  Consumptive,     .........  42 

The  Venus, 68 

A  Deformity, 68 

Shoulder-Brace, •         .  135 

Abdominal  Supporter, 140 

Inhaling  Tube, 137 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  first  physicians  were  the  priests  of  Egypt ; 
their  practice  consisted  principally  of  incantations 
and  mystical  spells,  not  perfectly  unlike  those  of  our 
modern  prophets.  But  the  Greeks  were  the  first  to 
give  medicine  the  semblance  of  a  science,  and  the 
name  of  JEscnlapius  was  the  first  which  was  rendered 
illustrious  by  real  philosophy  and  research  ;  he  was 
elevated  by  his  admiring  countrymen  to  the  title  of 
"  Great  God  of  Physic,"  and  splendid  temples  were 
erected  to  his  honor  in  every  part  of  Greece.  But, 
rising  like  a  great  overshadowing  rock  from  the  de- 
sert far  up  against  the  blue  heavens,  with  its  top  sur- 
mounted by  a  flame  whose  light  illumines  the  farthest 
shores,  behold  Hippocrates,  the  father  and  founder 
of  medicine !  his  theories  are  based  upon  research, 
experiment,  philosophy,  facts ;  which  have  secured 
for  him,  even  in  modern  times,  the  title  of  "  Medical 
Philosopher."  The  present  is  the  age  of  utility,  of 
discovery,  and  of  extraordinary  advancement  in  the 
useful  arts  and  sciences ;  its  achievements  have  no 
parallels  in  the  history  of  nations.  The  sombre  as- 
cendants of  hereditary  custom  and  ignorance  have 
been  consumed  by  the  triumphant  blaze  of  modern 
ambition  and  greatness.  The  long  annals  of  ancient 
2 


10  INTEODTJCTION". 

glory  shone  only  like  the  transient  glare  of  the  me- 
teor, while  the  solid  fabrics  of  our  times  are  the 
imclying  foundations  upon  which  knowledge  is  build- 
ing the  celestial  temple  of  amelioration  and  philan- 
thropy.    In  this  age  immortal  Freedom  was  born, 
under  the  banner  of  Washington ;    and,  could   the 
genius  of  despotism  reanimate  the  warlike  hordes  of 
Attila,  and  the  martial  bands  of  Scythia,  and  array 
them  against  her  sacred  temple,  every  hill  and  every 
valley  would  glisten  with  the  irresistible  steel  of  her 
valiant  sons,  who  would  sweep  them  at  one  charge, 
like  a  receding  wave ,  back  to  the  shady  shores  of  for- 
getfulness.     As  liberty  is  the  basis  of  true  religion, 
of  national  prosperity,  and  of  individual  happiness,  so 
also  is  she  the  fostress  of  science.  And  while  the  world 
is  dazzled  by  the  wonderful  achievements  of  machin- 
ery, and  the  results  of  steam  and  electricity  in  bring- 
ing  distant   nations    and  friendly   firesides  within 
speaking  distance,  how  much  more  worthy  of  our 
admiration  are  those  philosophical  researches   and 
advancements  in  medicine,  which  tend  to  the  pro- 
longing of  human  life,  and  the  alleviation  of  suiier- 
ing.     The  names  of  Jenner,  the  insti tutor  of  vaccina- 
tion, and  of  Harvey,  who  discovered  the  circulation 
of  the  blood,  are  embalmed  in  more  real  glory  than 
pertains  to  all  the  conquerors  and  statesmen  whose 
great  names  will  forever  grace  the  annals  of  nations. 
Who  shall  place  limits  to  our  attainments  in  the 
healing  art  ?     The  older  ph}- sicians,  who  have  devot- 
ed a  lifetime  to  the  study  of  what  was  known  and 
approved  in  their  day,  are  sometimes  jealous  of  ad- 


mTEODUCTION.  11 

vancements  with  whicli  they  cannot  keep  pace.  The 
use  of  chloroform  was  opposed  bjthem,  on  its  first 
introduction,  as  an  impertinent  innovation — good 
for  nothing,  or  it  would  have  been  used  in  their  day. 
^y  them,  also,  consumption  is  held  to  be  forever  in- 
curable ;  and  every  new  discovery  and  advancement 
which  has  the  desirable  object  in  view,  is  frowned 
upon  as  mere  presumption.  All  new  theories  are  op- 
posed, at  first,  but  when  they  become  established 
truths,  their  opposers  creep  in,  if  possible,  unobserved, 
and  adopt  them  in  self-defense.  The  public  mind  is 
somewhat  distracted,  just  now,  upon  the  subject  of 
medicine,  on  account  of  the  many  different  theories 
for  the  annihilation  of  the  established  science,  and 
for  the  cure  of  disease,  which  are  obtruded  upon  its 
notice. 

In  view  of  this  matter,  philosophers  and  philan- 
thropists have  the  consoling  reflection  that  much 
good  will  come  of  it ;  for  difference  of  opinion  excites 
scrutiny,  discussion  and  investigation,  all  of  which 
are  indispensable  in  our  search  after  truth.  Here- 
tofore, the  greatest  reproach  upon  our  art  was  its  un- 
certainty, particularly  in  pathology  and  therapeutics ; 
these  perplexities  are  fast  giving  way  before  the 
triumphant  genius  of  the  present  age.  The  practice 
of  medicine  is  no  longer  mysterious,  experimental, 
obscure,  uncertain,  expectant ;  it  is  now  a  true  and 
j^ositive  science,  adorned  by  genius  and  learning. 
"We  now  understand  the  nature,  causes,  symptoms 
and  seat  of  disease,  the  indications  which  call  for 
the  interference  of  tlie  physician,  and  the  modus 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

operandi  of  the  vast  field  of  remedies  wliich  a 
benign  Providence  lias  placed  at  our  disposal.  The 
brilliant  in  intellect,  the  delicate  and  beautiful  in 
person,  and  the  lovely  and  amiable  in  heart,  have 
always  been  the  peculiar  victims  of  consumption. 
Shall  we,  in  utter  servility,  chain  our  understandings 
to  the  maxims  of  ignorance,  and  let  earth's  fairest 
flowers  lay  and  fester  and  rot  because  our  predeces- 
sors have  failed  to  accomplish  in  consumption,  what 
Jenner  has  in  small-pox,  Lugol  in  scrofula  and 
goitre,  Trousseau  in  throat  diseases,  and  Civiale  in 
urinary  calculi  ?  Physicians,  by  their  precepts  and 
jpractice^  have  so  long  and  so  successfully  taught  the 
community  to  believe  that  consumption  is  incurable, 
that  people  are  now  extremely  averse  to  any  agitation 
of  the  subject,  and  hold  to  their  erroneous  convictions 
with  extraordinary  tenacity.  This  is  all  wrong,  and 
jTiust  give  way  ;  people  are  often — in  these  times — 
forced  to  believe  and  adopt  propositions  which  are 
opposed  to  all  their  former  experience  and  to  common 
sense.  We  can  do  anything  if  we  but  know  how  ; 
We  can  cure  consumjption  if  we  know  how.  ]^ot, 
then,  that  consumption  is  incurable,  but  that  here- 
tofore physicians  have  not  known  liovi  to  cure  it. 
That  goal  has  been  reached  at  last ;  for  the  truth  of 
this  assertion,  the  author  refers  to  the  authority  of 
Drs.  Stokes,  Wood  and  Louis,  and  to  the  cases  re- 
corded in  the  subsequent  part  of  this  work. 

The  average  of  human  life  is  now  only  eight 
years.  Whereas  we  have  the  authority  of  the  Bible 
that  it  should  be  seventv.     One-fourth  of  all  who  are 


INTEODdCTION.  13 

bi3i'n,  die  before  the  eleventh  month,  one-tliird  before 
the   twenty-third  month,    and   one-half   before  the 
eighth  year,  two-thirds  before  the  thirty-ninth  year, 
and  three-fourths  before  the  fifty-first ;  so  that  out  of 
every  nine  children  born,  only  one  attains  to  the  age 
of  seventy-three,  and  out  of  about  twelve  thousand, 
only  one  attains  to  the  age  of  one  hundred. — Buff  on. 
There  seems  to  be  no  reason  why  the  human  ma- 
chine should  not  run  on  to  a  good  old  age,  say  one 
hundred  and  twenty  years — barring  accidental  death. 
Our  race  has  no  doubt  brought  upon  itself  and  en- 
tailed  upon   succeeding   generations   many   of  the 
numerous  diseases  to  which  we  are  subject.    I  can- 
not think  that  it  was  the  original   design  of  the 
Almighty  that  we  should  be  thus  afflicted.     Xew 
diseases  are  generated  by  new  habits  and  modes  of 
life  ;  they  follow  in  the  wake  of  civilization  and 
reilnement.     Think  vou  that  the  Arab  of  the  desert, 
or  the  Indian  of  the  forest,  is  subject  as  we  are  to 
an  almost  countless  list  of  diseases  ?     Old  age  is 
almost  their  only  dread,  and,  aside  from  war  and 
violence,  almost  tlieir  only  cause  of  death.     There  is 
a  saying  among  the  Arabs  that  their  patriarchs  never 
die,  but  gradually  dry  up  until  they  become  so  light, 
that  finally  a  puff  of  w^ind  blows  them  away,  and  they 
are  wafted  to  Paradise.     In  intellect  we  advance, 
and  are  becoming  giants ;  but  in  body  we  deteriorate 
in  a  direct  ratio.     If  we  would  increase  our  years, 
improve  the  standard  of  longevity,  and  live  long,  we 
must  live  to  simple  nature,  abjure  luxury,  labor  or 
recreate  in  tlie  open  fields  and  woods,  plough,  or  hunt 


14:  INTKODTJCTION. 

the  wily  fox,  or  troll  the  pebbly  mountain  stream. 
Om*  diet  claims  much  care  and  study,  and  if  we  eat 
and  drink  to  nature,  we  shall  be  called  on  for  the 
practice  of  great  self-denial.  For  such  sacrifices, 
however,  we  reap  immediate  and  rich  rewards,  in  the 
blessings  of  sound  health,  strength,  clear  minds, 
valiant  souls  and  bouyant  spirits. 

J.  H.  POTTEK,  M.  D. 

1^0.  404  Broadway. 
New  York,  January,  1852. 


CREDENTIALS. 


The  author  wishes  to  avoid  publishing  anything  within  these 
pages  which  his  friends,  the  profession,  or  a  discerning  public 
woijid  disapprove ;  but  it  is  his  judgment,  though  perhaps  that 
judgment  may  be  erroneous,  that  all  popular  medical  writers 
should  prefix  their  credentials  to  their  productions. 

Extract  from  a  letter  from  the  Hon.  Richard  Rush,  late  American  Ambassador  to 

France. 

Paris,  June  Isl,  1849. 

My  Dear  Sir  :  Dr.  J.  Hamilton  Potter,  one  of  our  countrymen, 
commended  to  me,  through  good  sources,  as  a  physician  of  merit 
and  worth,  being  about  to  leave  France  for  London,  I  beg  to  give 
him  this  line  of  introduction  to  you.  Asking  you  to  receive  him 
kindly, 

I  remain,  my  dear  Sir, 

Respectfully  and  faithfully  yours, 

Richard  Rush. 
To  Colonel  Aspinwall, 
Consul  of  the  United  States,  London. 


Letter  from  Mr,  Ford,  of  Lancaster,  Pa.,  to  the  Hon.  Charles  Ogle. 

Representative  Chamber, 
Harrishurg,  Pa.,  March  26tJi,  1838. 
Dear  Sir  :  The  bearer  of  this  letter.  Dr.  J.  H.  Potter,  of  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  is  a  gentleman  of  character  and  reputation, 
whom  I  would  respectfully  introduce  to  your  acquaintance.  Any 
attention  which  may  be  shown  him,  will  be  cheerfully  acknow- 
I edged  by 

Yours,  respectfully, 

George  Ford. 


16  CKEDEHTIALS, 

Copy  of  Diploma  from  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Medicfne, 

Omnibus  et  singulis  has  literas  lecturis 

Salutem. 

Notum  sit  quod  nos 

Prases  et  Professores  CoLLEon  Medicine  Philadelphiensis 

Reifublic^  Pennstlvaniensis 

Auctoritate  constituti. 

Hoc  scripto  testatum  volumus  virum  probum 

John  Hamilton  Potter, 

Omnia  studia  et  exercitia  ad  gradum  Doctoris  in  Arte  Medica 

spectantia  rite  et  legitime  peregisse,  eumque,  coram  professoribus 

examinatione  comprobatum.     Doctorem  in  Arte  Medica  crea- 

vimus  et  eonstituimus,  eique,  omnia  jura,  immunitates  et  privile- 

gia  ad  ilium  gradum  hie  aut  ubique  gentium  pertinentia  dedimua 

et  coneessimus.    In  cnjus  rei  majorum  fidem  hocce  diploma,  cora- 

muni  Rostro  sigiDo  munitum,  et  cbirographis  nostris  subscriptum, 

sit  testimonio. 

Annoque  Domin^l  8^7.  Philadelphia.  Die  Sexto  Mensis  Martis. 

Jacobus  McClinto-ck,  M.  D.,  Anat.  Prof. 

H.  Gibbons,  M.  D.,  Theor.  and  Prax.  Med.  Prof. 

Chris.  C.  Cox,  M.  D.,  Inst.  Med.  et  Jurisp.  Prof. 

Alfredum  L.  Kennedy,  M.  D.,  Chemia.  Prof. 

KusH  Van  Dyke,  M.D.,  Mat.  Med.  et  Therap.  Gen.  Prof. 

Carolus  a.  Savory,  M.D.,  Obstetric  etMorberete  Prof. 

Jacobus  McCuntock,  M.  D.,  Chirurg. Prof. 

M.  W.  Dickeson,  M.  D.,  Anat.  Path,  et  Comp.  Prof. 
J.  R.  Burden,  M.  D.,  Prgeses. 
J.  McClintock,  M.  D.,  Scriba.  (S'eal.) 


Copy  of  Certificate  from  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital. 

We,  the  Attending  Managers,  Physician  and  Surgeon  of  the 

Pennsylvania  Hospital, 
Do  Certify,  that  John  Hamilton  Potter,  M.  D.,  of  New  York 
City,  hath  attended  the  practice  of  the  Physicians  and  Surgeons 
of  the  said  Hospital  for  one  year. 

In  Testimony  whereof.  We  have  respectively  set  our  Names  to 
this  Certificate,  and  caused  the  Seal  of  the  Hospital  to  be  there- 
unto affixed,  this  sixth  day  of  March,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
1840. 

Jacob  G.  Morris,     )  ^ 
Attest,  G.  Roberts  SmTH,  ]  ^^-^^^agers. 

John  T.  Lewis, 

Treasurer.  Geo.  B.  Wood,  Physician. 

(Seal.)  Geo.  Fox,  Surgeon. 


CREDENTIALS.  1 7 

Copy  of  a  Certificate  from  Dr.  Oulmont,  Chief  of  the  Clinique  of  the  Faculty  of 
Medicine  of  Paris,  France. 

Republique  Francaise. 
Liberte,  Egnlite,  Fraternite. 
Administration  generale  des  Hopitaux,  Hospices  civils  et 
Secours  de  Paris. 
Je,  soiissigne,  Docteur  en  Medicine  et  Chef  de  Clinique  de 
la  faculte  de  Medicine  do  Paris  eertifie  que  J.  Hamilton  Potter, 
M.  D.,  de  New  York  (Etat  Unis  d'Amerique)  a  suivi  avee  beau- 
coup  de  distinction  mes  Cours  d' Auscultation  et  de  Percussion. 
Paris,  le  3  Juin,  1849. 

Oulmont. 


Portland,  October  13//t,  1845. 
Dear  Sir  :  Permit  me  to  introduce  to  your  favorable  notice 
the  bearer.  Dr.  Potter,  a  gentleman  from  New  York,  now  on  a 
visit  to  Maine  for  his  pleasure  and  the  benefit  of  his  health. 
Youi-s,  very  respectfully, 

C.  C.  ToBiE,  M.  D. 
To  Charles  Snell,  M.  D.,  Bangor, 


Extract  from  a  Letter  from  George  Ford,  Esq.,  Attorney,  Lancaster,  Pa. 

Representative  Chamber, 

Harrisburg,  March  26th,  1838. 
Hon.  Edward  Davis,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Dear  Sir  :  Allow  me  to  introduce  to  your  favorable  notice 
and  attention,  Dr.  J.  Hamilton  Potter,  of  Philadelphia.  I  have  had 
abundant  opportunity,  during  the  present  session  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, of  improving  my  acquaintance  with  him,  and  therefore  cheer- 
fully recommend  him  to  you  as  a  gentleman,  every  way  worthy  of 
your  acquaintance. 

Very  respectfully  yours,  &c., 

George  Ford. 


Extract  from  a  Letter  from  Joseph  T.  Rowaud,  M.  D. 

Philadelphia,  November  4:ih,  1843. 
Messrs.  Brewers,  Boston,  Mass. 

Gents  :  I  take  pleasure  in  introducing  to  your  acquaintance 
my  friend.  Dr.  J.  Hamilton  Potter.     Dr.  Potter  stands  high  in  his 
profession  here,  and  is  a  gentleman  of  irreproachable  character. 
I  am,  Gentlemen,  your  obedient  Servant, 

Joseph  T.  Rowand. 
2* 


18  CEEDENTIALS. 

Extract  from  a  Letter  from  J.  S.  Pompelly,  Esq.,  of  Owego,  N.  Y. 

OwEGO  Village,  August  9lh,  1838. 
JOUN  J.  Si-EED,         I  J  , .       j^  Y 
Benjamin  Ferris,  \  ^^^^^^'  ^^'  ^' 

Gentlemen  :    I  take  the  liberty  of  introducing  to  yotir  ac- 
quaintance, and  commending  to  your  liind  attention  the  bearer, 
Dr.  J.  H.  Potter.     I  believe  him  to  be  skillful  in  his  profession. 
Your  Friend  and  humble  Servant, 

J.  S.  POMI^LLY. 


Extract  from  a  Letter  from  the  Hon.  D.  S.  Dickinson. 

BiNGHAMPTON,  August  4th,  1838. 

Messrs.  Thomas  A.  Johnson  and  >  r»  •  .   i  r>    x 

Henry  G.  CoLTON,  painted  Post. 

Gentlemen  :  I  desire  to  present,  for  your  favorable  notice, 
Dr.  Potter,  late  of  Philadelphia.  He  has  given  high  evidence  of 
professional  ability. 

Yours,  truly, 

D.  S.  Dickinson. 


Prom  the  Quaker  City,  Philadelphia,  December  29lh,  1849. 

The  Consumptive's  Guide  to  Health,  by  J.  Hamilton  Pot- 
ter, M.  D. — We  intended  to  have  noticed  this  work  long  before 
this,  and  put  it  off  from  day  to  day,  hoping  for  time  to  do  it  some- 
thing like  justice.  To  say  we  are  pleased  with  its  plan  and  exe- 
cution, is  to  convey  but  a  faint  idea  of  our  approval.  It  is  positively 
the  best  written  book,  on  a  medical  subject,  that  we  have  ever  read. 
Every  v/ord,  written  on  a  matter  of  such  vital  interest  as  consump- 
tion is,  should  be  heard  with  favor ;  but  when,  as  in  the  present 
case,  the  v/riter  treats  of  it,  not  only  with  ability,  but  scientifically, 
hopefully,  rationally,  and  above  all  with  his  style  divested  of  those 
technical  mysticisms  with  which  the  followers  of  the  medical  pro- 
fession have  persisted  in  destroying  the  utility  of  their  books,  too 
much  praise  cannot  be  accorded  to  the  effort. 

Dr.  Potter  pronounces  consumption  a  curable  disease,  and,  in 
spite  of  the  dogmatic  assertions  of  those  professors  who,  because 
they  have  failed,  consider  failure  inevitable,  insists  that  a  thorough 
physician  can  treat  as  successfully  diseases  of  the  lungs,  as  any 
other  illness  whatever.     We  had  marked  some  passages  for  in- 


CREDENTIALS.  19 

sertion,  but  on  the  whole  think  it  better  warmly  to  recommend 
our  readers  to  get  the  book  at  once  and  judge  for  themselves. 
At  this  season  of  the  year,  when  the  human  frame  is  most  liable 
to  be  influenced  by  the  weather,  a  careful  perusal  of  the  preven- 
tive and  curative  mode  of  treatment  which  the  Doctor  recom- 
mends, cannot  but  be  beneficial  to  both  the  healthy  and  the 
infirm. 


GLOSSARY. 


Before  entering  fully  upon  the  discussion  of  our  subject,  a 
few  medical  terms  are  presented  to  the  reader,  and  accompanied 
by  clear  and  brief  definitions.  As  these  tenns  will  unavoidably 
occur  as  we  proceed,  the  reader  will  at  once  discern  and  appreci- 
ate the  author's  motive  in  introducing  them  thus  early  to  his 
notice.  He  thinks  that  every  intelligent  reader  should  master 
this  much,  at  least,  of  the  mystery  which  canopies  and  conceals 
the  Science  of  Medicine  ;  whereby  he  may  obtain  glimpses  into 
its  depths  profound,  which  are  forever  closed  to  the  illiterate  and 
obtuse. 

Acute.  In  Pathology,  applied  to  diseases  whose  symptoms  are 
violent  and  whose  course  is  short. 

Alvine.     Appertaining  to  the  bowels. 

Amenorrhcea.     Obstruction  of  the  menses. 

Antiphlogistic.     Means  which  tend  to  reduce  inflammation. 

Atrophy.  A  wasting  of  any  part  of  the  body,  or  of  the  whole 
body. 

Auscultation.  Art  of  forming  a  diagnosis  by  listening  to  the 
sounds  of  the  lungs,  heart,  arteries,  and  veins. 

Bronchitis.  Inflammation  of  the  mucous  lining  of  the  bronchi- 
al tubes. 

Cachexia,  (from  KOKOi,  bad;  and  e^t?,  a  habit.)  A  bad  condition 
or  habit  of  the  body,  arising  from  scurvy,  syphilis,  scrofula, 

Carnjfication.     Conversion  of  any  texture  of  the  body — ^not 

flesh — ^into  a  substance  resembling  flesh. 
Chronic.     Applied  to  diseases  of  long  continuance,  opposed  to 

acute. 
Congestion.     An  unnatural  accumulation  of  blood  in  any  organ, 

caused  by  defective  circulation. 
Consumption,  (from  consumo,  to  waste  away.)     Wasting  of  the 

body;  any  disease  attended  with    emaciation;    but    fetrictly 

tuberculous  phthisis. 
Costal.     Pertaining  to  the  ribs. 
Cynanche,  (from  kvw,  a  dog,  and  ayx(>y  to  suffocate.)   Sore  throat. 


GLOSSARY.  21 

Diagnosis,  (from  ctayfi^oxr^-w  to  discern  or  distinguish.)  The  art 
of  recognising-  a  disease  by  its  symptoms,  and  of  distinguish- 
ing one  disease  from  another. 

Diaphragm.  The  midriff — muscle  separating  the  cavity  of  the 
chest  from  the  abdomen. 

Diathesis.     Any  morbid  peculiarity  of  constitution. 

Dysmenorrhcea.  Difficult  or  painful  menstruation,  with  paid 
in  the  back,  loins,  &c. 

Effete.     Barren,  worn  out,  impoverished. 

Epiglottis.  The  cartilage  at  the  root  of  the  tongue  that  ftills 
upon  the  glottis,  or  superior  opening  of  the  larynx. 

Expuition,  (from  exspuo,  to  spit  out.)     The  act  of  spitting. 

Fauces.     The  back  part  of  the  mouth  including,  the  pharynx. 

F-^ces.     Alvine  excretions. 

Gangrene.     A  mortification  of  living  flesh. 

Glottis.  Superior  opening  into  the  windpipe,  at  the  larynx, 
covered  by  the  epiglottis. 

Hydrothorax.     Dropsy  of  the  chest. 

Hydropneumothorax.  Pneumothorax  complicated  with  a  serous 
infiltration. 

Hygeia.     The  goddess  of  health. 

Hygienic.     Pertaining  to  health. 

Hysteria.    Spasmodic  disease,  dependent  on  uterine  irregularity. 

Larynx.  The  top  of  the  windpipe,  including  the  organs  of 
voice. 

Laryngitis.     Inflammation  of  the  larynx. 

Leucorrhgea.  Fluor  albus.  The  whites,  a  secretion  of  whitish 
mucus  from  the  vagina  of  women. 

Menorrhagia.  Flooding,  immoderate  ^ow  of  the  menses  or  of 
blood  from  the  Uterus. 

Normal.     Natural,  healthy. 

(Edema.     Tumefaction  from  serous  effusion. 

(Esophagus.     Gullet,  or  tube  leading  to  the  stomach. 

Parenchyma.  The  spongy  and  cellular  substance  or  tissue  that 
connects  parts  together. 

Pathognomonic.  A  term  given  to  symptoms  v/hich  are  character- 
istic of,  or  peculiar  to,  a  disease. 

Pathology.     Science  or  doctrine  of  diseases. 

Parturition.     Child-birth. 

Percussion,  (from  percutio,  to  strike.)  Physical  examination  of 
the  chest,  abdomen,  &c.,  by  striking  their  walls ;  and  is  either 
mediate  or  immediate,  direct  or  by  a  pleximeter. 

Phthisis,  (from  (pdi^^  to  consume.)     Pulmonary  consumption. 

Pharynx.  Top  of  the  oesophagus,  or  canal  leading  to  the 
stomach. 


22  GLOSSARY. 

Plethoric.    Having  the  vessels  over-charged  with  fluids. 

Pneumothorax.  Perforation  of  the  plura  with  infiltration  of 
air  into  the  cavity  of  the  chest. 

Pneumonia.     Inflammation  of  the  lungs. 

Pulmonary,  (from  pulmo,  the  lung.)     Belonging  to  the  lungs. 

PuRiFORM.     Resembling  pus. 

Regimen.    Regulation  of  the  diet  and  habits. 

Rubefacient.  An  application  which  produces  redness  of  the 
skin  without  blistering. 

Scrofula,  (from  scrofa^  a  sow,  because  hogs  are  often  afifected 
by  it.)  A  disease  consisting  of  hard  indolent  tumors  of  glands 
in  various  parts  of  the  body,  which  suppurate,  degenerate  into 
ulcers  and  discharge  a  white  curdled  matter — not  pus. 

Sternum.     The  breast-bone. 

Strumous.  Of  the  nature  of  scrofula ;  synonymous  with  scrofu- 
lous. 

Tonsillitis.  Inflammation  of  the  tonsils,  quinsy,  cynanche  tonsil- 
laris. 

Thermal.    Warm,  applied  chiefly  to  the  waters  of  warm  springs. 

Tonsils.  Oblong,  sub-oval  glands  situated  on  each  side  of  the 
back  part  of  the  mouth. 

Trachitis.  Inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  lining  th 
trachea,  croup,  cynanche  trachealis. 

Tracheotomy.     A  surgical  operation, incision  into  the  windpipe. 

Trachea.     The  windpipe. 

Tubercle.  A  scrofulous  tumor ;  a  morbid  product  occurring  in 
various  textures  of  the  body,  in  connection  with  the  scrofulous 
or  tubercular  diathesis. 

Uvula.     The  pendulous  body  behind  the  soft  palate. 

Veluivi  palatl     The  soft  palate. 


HEART,  LUNGS,  BRONCHIAL  TUBES,  &c. 

a.   The  Heart. 

bb.  The  Lungs, 

cc.  The  Bronchial  Tubes. 

d.  Divisions,  or  ramifications  of  the  Bronchial  Tubes. 

e.  The  Windpipe,  or  Trachea. 
/.  The  Vocal  Box,  or  Larynx. 


ANATOMY  AND  PHYSIOLOGY. 


The  thorax,  or  cavity  of  the  chest,  is  somewhat 
conical  in  shape,  narrow  above  and  broad  below. 
It  is  bounded  by  the  ribs,  breast-bone,  costal  cartila- 
ges, intercostal  mnscles,  vertebral  column,  and  dia- 
phragm. The  articulation  of  the  bones  composing 
the  chest,  is  such  as  to  admit  of  motion ;  thus,  it  di- 
lates and  contracts  in  respiration.     It  contains  the 


24  ANATOMY  AND   PHYSIOLOGY. 

heart  and  great  vessels,  the  two  lungs,  bronchial 
tubes,  pleura,  oesophagus,  nerves,  &c.  The  heart  is 
hollow  and  muscular,  and  is  the  central  organ  of  the 
circulation.  It  is  bounded  in  front  by  the  breast- 
bone, posteriorly  by  the  spine,  on  the  sides  by  the 
lungs,  and  below  by  the  tendinous  centre  of  the 
diaphragm.  The  lungs  are  situated  on  each  side  of 
the  chest,  separated  from  each  other  by  the  heart 
and  a  portion  of  the  pleura;  they  consist  of  a  right 
and  a  left  lung.  The  right  lung  is  sub-divided  into 
three  lobes,  and  the  left  into  two  ;  the  right  lung  is 
larger,  but  shorter,  than  the  left ;  they  are  of  a  pink- 
ish gray  color,  somewhat  mottled  with  black ;  their 
texture  is  spongy,  consisting  of  small  membranous 
cells — ramifications  of  the  bronchise.  The  lungs  are 
invested  by  a  delicate  serous  membrane — the  pleura 
— which  also  lines  the  cavity  of  the  chest ;  they  are 
held  in  their  position  by  their  roots,  formed  by  the 
pulmonary  artery,  pulmonary  veins,  broncliial  tubes, 
bronchial  vessels,  and  pulmonary  plexuses  of  nerves. 
The  bronchial  tubes  extend  from  the  division  of  the 
trachea  to  their  corresponding  lungs,  where  they 
divide  and  sub-divide  into  their  ultimate  termina- 
tions in  the  minute  air  cells  ;  the  number  of  these 
cells,  and  the  surface  which  they  present  to  the  air, 
is  surprising,  when  the  small  size  of  the  lungs  is 
considered.  M.  Rochoux  estimates  the  number 
of  cells  to  be  600,017,790.  Keill's  estimate  was 
1,744,186,015.  Lieberkiihn's  calculation  gave  them 
a  surface  of  1500  square  feet.  The  surface  of  the 
bronchise  alone.  Hales  thinks,  is  1035  square  inches. 
Thus,  it  will  be  seen  that  an  immense  aerating  surface 
exists  in  the  lungs  for  the  contact  of  the  blood  with 
the  air.  The  air  has  ready  access  to  the  blood  of  the 
pulmonary  artery,  but  what  the  precise  arrangement 
IS,  which  carries  on  this  contact,  we  know  not ;  it  is 
reasonably  supposed  to  be  capillary.    The  object  of 


ANATOMY   AND   PHYSIOLOGY.  25 

this  contact  is — to  use  Bichat's  term — "hoematosis;" 
i.e.,  arterialization,  decarbonization,  oxygenation,  or 
aeration  of  the  blood,  which  renders  it  nutritive. 
Blood  which  passes  from  the  heart  to  the  lungs  is  a 
dark  red,  but  when  it  returns  it  is  a  light  red.  Ar- 
terialized  blood  stimulates  the  brain,  and  gives  to  the 
muscles  contractility,  upon  which  depend  all  animal 
strength,  force,  and  motion.  This  chemical  pheno- 
menon of  respiration  was  not  understood  by  the  an- 
cients ;  but  the  process  was  generally  thought  to  be 
a  means  of  refrigerating  the  blood  and  cooling  the 
body.  Eespi ration  subserves  other  purposes,  not 
chemical :  it  is  necessary  to  the  sense  of  smell,  to 
the  act  of  speaking,  laughing,  sneezing,  coughing, 
sighing,  singing,  crying,  &c.,  &c.  It  is  thought  by 
physiologists  that  we  take  in  about  forty  cubic  inches 
of  atmospheric  air  at  each  inspiration ;  thus  we  con- 
sume two  or  three  balloonsful  every  day.  The 
gases  absorbed  by  the  blood,  make  the  quantity  ex- 
pired one-fifth  less.  In  one  day,  then,  w^e  absorb 
about  14,400  cubic  inches  of  oxygen  and  azote,  and 
give  ofi'  about  eight  ounces  of  carbon.  ISTumerous 
muscles  are  concerned  in  the  function  of  respiration  : 
the  diaphragm,  the  intercostal,  infra  costales,  sterno 
costalis,  serratus  posticus,  inferior  and  superior  ab- 
dominal muscles,  pectoral  muscles,  &c.,  &c. 

The  filaments  of  nerves  sent  to  the  lungs  are  from 
the  pneumogas trie  and  great  sympathetic. 


THE 

INVALID'S  FIVE  QUESTIONS, 

AND    THE 

DOCTOR'S   FIVE   ANSWERS 


PART   SECOKD. 

WHAT   IS   PULMONAKT   CONSUMl'TION  ? 


PuLMONAEY  CONSUMPTION  is  a  disease  of  the 
lungs,  which  man  has  brought  upon  himself,  and 
which  is  developed  by  tiibercles^  which  are  formed 
in  the  substance  of  the  lungs,  and  which  soften  and 
involve  that  substance  in  their  own  destruction. 
Tubercles  are  a  peculiar  morbid  product — either 
secretive  or  excretive — of  the  blood,  or  of  the  lym- 
phatics ;  in  fact,  tumors,  dependent  upon  a  tubercu- 
lous or  scrofulous  state  of  the  constitution,  and 
developed  by  almost  any  bad  condition  or  habit  of 
the  body  which  renders  it  incapable  of  resisting  the 
diathesis.  What  the  precise  nature  of  this  diathesis 
is,  is  at  present  unknown. 

Tuberculous  matter  or  tubercle,  is,  in  consistence 
firm  but  friable,  of  a  yellow  color,  and  unctuous  to 
the  feel ;  insoluble  in  water,  sinking  when  placed 
in  it,  without  smell,  homogeneous  and  unorganized. 
Tubercles  vary  in  dimension  from  the  size  of  a  millet 
seed,  to  that  of  a  pigeon's  Oigg.    They  are  not  con- 


28  WHAT   IS   PULMOKARY   CONSUMPTION? 

fined  to  the  lungs,  but  are  often  found  in  the  heart, 
liver,  throat,  intestines,  brain,  &c,  &c. 

The  disease  has  three  stages,  which  are  marked 
by  the  following  symptoms. 

FiKST  Stage. — Slight,  frequent,  hacking  cough, 
accompanied  by  a  tickling  sensation  in  the  throat ; 
the  cough  is  dry,  unless  catarrh  preceded  the 
development  of  tubercle ;  expectoration  at  first 
scanty,  thready,  grayish  and  sometimes  spotted  with 
blood;  distressing  dejection,  languor,  shooting  or 
wandering  pains  in  the  chest  and  shoulder,  a  sense 
of  constriction  across  the  chest,  a  feeling  of  weight 
in  the  chest,  quick  pulse,  loss  of  appetite,  sometimes 
tenderness  of  the  subclavicular  region,  difficulty  of 
breathing  and  slightly  hurried  respiration,  hoarse- 
ness, weakness  of  the  voice,  and  extreme  liability 
to  take  cold  on  slight  exposure. 

Second  Stage. — Decided  symptoms  are  establish- 
ed ;  the  countenance  is  characteristic,  the  eyes  are 
bright  and  clear,  the  digestive  system  sufi^ers.  The 
patient  has  abdominal  pains,  and  can  lie  on  one  side 
better  than  the  other. 

Emaciation  commences  ;  the  pulse  is  full,  hard, 
and  increased  from  80  or  90  to  120  or  140.  The 
cough  becomes  more  and  more  harrassing,  especi- 
ally through  the  night  and  in  the  morning.  There 
is  an  expuition  of  puriform  and  tubercular  matter, 
increased  difficulty  of  breathing,  fever,  morning  and 
evening,  chills  or  rigors,  weakening  sweats,  irregular 
bowels,  and  often  a  coughing  of  blood  from  the 
lungs. 

Third  Stage. — ^The  chest  becomes  flat,  the  shoul- 
ders round,  the  clavicles  prominent,  the  spaces  be- 
tween the  clavicles  and  upper  ribs  deepened,  the 
voice  sometimes  becomes  extinct,  sometimes  hollow 
and  melancholy. 

Confirmed  hectic  is  established  ;  excessive  weak- 


WHAT   IS   PULMONARY    CONSUMPTION?  29 

ening  sweats,  diarrhea,  great  debility  and  extreme 
emaciation  follow  ;  the  nails  become  livid  and  incurv- 
ed, the  mind  is  clear  and  hopeful,  the  feet  swell  and 
become  cold,  and  at  last,  sometimes  a  slight  delirium 
occurs. 

These  stages  are  run  through  in  from  three  to 
eighteen  months,  as  a  general  rule,  but  sometimes 
the  disease  occupies  years  in  its  development  and 
course.  In  cases  of  quick  consumption,  a  few  days 
or  weeks  suffice. 

People  most  liable  to  pulmonary  consumption, 
have  light  hair  and  eyes,  small  chests,  swollen  upper 
lips,  fair  or  sallow  complexions,  brilliant  minds, 
large  veins,  slight  frames,  nervous  and  sanguine 
temperaments. 

Sedentary  occupations  favor  the  development  of 
consumption  far  more  than  tliose  which  require 
vigorous  exercise,  in  the  open  air,  especially.  Stu- 
dents, teachers,  inhabitants  of  convents  and  prisons, 
weavers,  factory  023eratives,  tailors,  milliners,  seam- 
stresses, stone-cutters,  feather-dressers,  needle-grind- 
ers and  brush-makers,  are  peculiarly  liable  to  the 
disease.  Women  are  more  sedentary  than  men,  and 
consequently  more  subject  to  consumption.  It  at- 
tacks at  all  ages,  even  from  the  unborn  child  to  the 
decrepit  centenarian.  It  is  estimated  that  one-sixth 
of  the  deaths  north  of  the  tropics  are  caused  by  it. 
In  England  alone,  there  are  about  sixty  thousand 
deaths  annually,  from  the  same  cause  ;  and  so  pre- 
valent is  the  disease  upon  that  island,  that  in  many 
countries  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  consumq^tion 
is  called  "  the  English  disease." 

I  will  subjoin  a  table,  showing  the  number  of 
deaths,  comparatively,  which  occur  each  year  in  the 
several  larger  cities,  which  may  not  prove  uninter- 
esting, but,  perhaps,  even  instructive  to  my  readers. 
In  ISTew  York,  one  person  dies  out  of  every  thirty- 


80 


WHAT   IS   PULMONARY    CONSUMPTIONS 


five  of  the  inhabitants,  yearly  ;  a  standard  which  is 
entirely  too  low,  but  which  it  is  hoped  will  be  im- 
proved when  the  sewers  are  completed,  drainage  es- 
tablished, and  people  cease  throwing  offal,  or  waste 
bits  from  their  kitchens,  into  the  gutters  ;  and 
when  the  authorities  keep  our  streets  in  a  condition 
to  be  passable  without  stilts  and  smelling  bottles ; 
and  reduce  our  grog-shops  from  thousands,  down  to 
a  few  sober  hundreds  ;  to  say  nothing  of  our  artifi- 
cial milk-stills.  Oh,  shame  !  shame !  to  those  who 
can,  but  do  not,  apply  the  remedy.  In  one  neighbor- 
hood in  this  city,  there  are — as  the  author  was  in- 
formed on  the  premises  by  a  proprietor — from  three 
to  five  thousand  cows  ;  they  are  confined  in  such 
close  proximity,  that  they  have  barely  room  to  lie 
down,  and  here  they  are  kept  upon  still  slops,  and 
their  milk  sold  through  the  city,  until  consumjption 
— which  they  soon  contract — renders  their  fiesh  fit 
and  ready  for  the  butcher's  stall. 


TABLE   OF   YEARLY    MORTALITY". 


Paris 1  Dies  in  32 

London 1  " 

New  York  ...  1  " 

Philadelphia  .  1  " 

Glasgow  ....  1  " 

Boston 1  " 

St.  Petersburg  1  " 

Amsterdam  .  .  1  " 


32 

Baltimore  .  . . 

I  Dies 

in  35 

46 

Berlin ] 

"    34 

35 

Brussels  . .  .  .  ] 

«    25 

31 

Madrid ] 

«    29 

43 

Naples ] 

"    28 

41 

Rome ] 

"    25 

37 

Geneva ] 

"    43 

24 

Vienna ] 

«    22 

PAET  SECOND. 

WHAT   CAUSES  PULMONARY   CONSUMPTION  ? 


Whatever  creates  the  morbid  diathesis,  and 
excites  it  into  action — as  hereditary  predisposition, 
scrofula,  common  colds,  inflammations  of  the  pulmo- 
nary organs,  vitiated  or  deficient  action  of  the  secre- 
tory organs,  too  early  marnage,  and  all  debilitating 
diseases  ;  abuse  of  mercury,  healing  of  old  ulcers, 
cessation  of  habitual  discharges,  neglect  of  early 
symptoms,  inhalation  of  impure  air  and  of  foreign 
substances,  as  gases,  dust  of  metals,  stone,  &c.;  de- 
formity, diminution  of  the  capacity  of  the  chest 
from  a  habit  of  stooping  and  from  tight  lacing,  dis- 
placement of  the  abdominal  viscera,  dissipation, 
grief,  exhausting  indulgences,  indolence  and  despon- 
dency ;  disappointment,  anxiety,  intense  mental 
application,  bad  or  insufficient  diet,  irregularity  in 
any  function  of  the  body,  bad  habits,  too  much  or 
too  little  clothing,  want  of  exercise,  want  of  rest, 
want  of  sleep,  dosing  with  nostrums,  use  of  warm 
water  in  washing  and  bathing,  sleeping  in  feather 
beds,  sitting  in  over-heated  and  illy  ventilated 
apartments,  and  frequenting  crowded  assemblies; 
residence  in  damp,  harsh  climates,  and  in  exposed, 
windy  situations ;  living  in  cellars,  underground 
kitchens,  and  dark,  gloomy  apartments,  where  the 
sun  seldom  enters  ;  sleeping  in  basement  rooms,  or 
in  small,  close  chambers,  or  in  a  chamber  with  sev- 
eral other  people,  or  in  rooms  with  fires ;  all  seden- 


32         WHAT   CAUSES   PULMONARY   CONSUMPTION  ? 

taiy  employments,  working  in  paper  and  other  fac- 
tories, and  constantly  inhaling  steam  and  dust  from 
filthy  rags,  &c.;  wealth,  and  a  high  state  of  mental  cul- 
tm-e,  luxury  and  refinement.  All  of  these  causes  re- 
sult in  debility,  delicacy,  efi'eminacy,  imbecility,  ir- 
resolution, cowardice,  fickleness  of  mind,  and  aver- 
sion to  all  occupation ;  a  state  of  body  and  mind  which 
is  as  sure  to  be  followed  by  consumption,  as  are  the 
storm-driven  waves  of  the  ocean  to  dash  upon  lee- 
ward rocks.  So  long  as  we  continue  to  bring  up 
our  children  upon  velvet  cushions  and  feather  beds, 
feed  them  with  delicacies,  clothe  them  improperly, 
force  the  mind  beyond  its  strength,  and  indulge 
them  in  exemption  from  industrious  and  laborious 
pursuits,  so  long  will  they  continue  to  fade  like  hot- 
house plants. 

These  mistaken  notions  are  almost  peculiar  to 
this  country.  While  our  ladies  and  children  are  well 
nigh  constantly  in  the  house,  growing  delicate  and 
etieminate,  the  ladies  and  children  of  Europe  are 
out,  laboring  or  sporting  in  the  fields.  No  nation  of 
people  in  the  world,  compare  with  the  Americans  in 
effeminacy,  and  what  is  so  much  coveted — delicacy. 
This  is  not  beauty ;  health  is  beauty.  Our  ladies 
fade  and  become  old  and  wrinkled  at  twenty -eight  or 
thirty,  while  an  English  lady  is  in  her  prime  of 
beauty  at  forty.  Our  young  girls  become  women 
at  sixteen  or  eighteen,  while  in  England  they  are 
not  considered  young  ladies  until  twenty-five. 

Change  of  occu]:)ation  is  also  a  prominent  cause 
of  consumption.  Young  men  brought  up  to  some 
active  out-door  business  in  the  country,  are  often 
placed  in  stores,  counting-rooms,  and  offices  in  the 
city  or  town  ;  their  habits  are  all  changed ;  they  take 
very  little  out-door  exercise,  adopt  a  luxurious  diet 
and  different  clothing,  learn  to  smoke — if  not  to 
drink — keep  late  hours,  read  exciting  books,  attend 


WHAT   CAUSES   PULMONARY    CONSUIVIPTION  ?         33 

theatres,  concerts,  balls  and  parties ;  tliej  soon  be- 
come delicate^  take  a  cold,  house  themselves,  take 
another,  get  sick  and  send  for  a  doctor ;  bleeding, 
blistering,  tartar  emetic  and  opium  finish  the  work ; 
their  constitutions  are  ruined,  and  they  are  a  prey 
to  consum2^tion.  Another  is  sent  to  the  academy, 
and  thence  to  the  college,  where,  by  study,  want 
of  exercise,  impure  air,  imprudence  in  diet,  and 
perhaps  a  little  dissipation,  lie  becomes  debilitated, 
dyspeptic,  nervous,  susceptible  to  colds,  and  thus 
ruined  in  health.  An  athletic  business  man  has 
made  a  fortune  by  his  superior  activity  and  sagacity ; 
he  retires,  and,  in  liis  retirement,  feeling  the  want  of 
that  excitement  which  he  formerly  derived  from  his 
occupation,  seeks  it  in  a  new  channel ;  he  reads 
more,  smokes  more,  chews  more,  drinks  more, 
scolds  more,  eats  more,  lusts  more — exercises  less, 
and  enjoys  less  ;  and  if  he  does  not  return  to  busi- 
ness, will  soon  bring  upon  himself  the  business  of 
an  invalid,  than  which  none  is  harder,  nor  more 
harrassing.  But  here  let  me  mention  a  fact  which  is 
paramount.  The  greatest  of  all  causes  of  acquired 
consumption  is,  the  immoderate  drainage  from  the 
system  of  the  vital  or  seminal  fluid.  Delicacy  for- 
bids me  to  enlarge  upon  the  subject  in  this  work,  but 
there  are  valuable  books  upon  these  evils,  which 
should  be  perused  with  care  by  the  thinking  and 
responsible  adult,  and  their  instructions  ]3i'<5perly 
enforced  at  a  suitable  age — Vvdien  suspicion  renders 
it  imperative — upon  the  young.  Secret  vice  is 
spreading  a  pall  over  this  fair  land.  Who  shall  ar- 
rest its  progress  ?  how  can  we  approach  it  properly  ? 
Tv^hsi  will  stay  its  demoralizing  and  death-spreading 
venom  ?  Pliilosophers !  give  ear  and  eye  and  un- 
derstanding to  tliis  subject,  and  save  our  youth  from 
early  ruin  and  premature  graves.  Yv^ell  it  is  for 
America,  that  Germany  and  Great  Britain  are  con- 

3 


34  WHAT  CAUSES   PULMONAET   CONSUMPTIO]??  ? 

stantly  supplying  and  re-supplying  ns  with  tlieir  best 

blood,  which  is  constantly  mingling  and  comming- 
ling, with  our  own.  Otherwise  should  we  degener- 
ate, with  fearful  strides,  and  soon  bring  the  moth 
of  despotism  to  protect  us  in  our  imbecility,  from 
the  first  sturdy  people  who  might  mark  us  for  their 
prey. 


PAET  THIED. 

HOW  CAN  PULMONARY  CONSUMPTION  BE  PEETENTED  ? 


Aetee  a  careful  perusal  of  the  second  part  of  this 
work,  the  reader  will  at  once  arrive  at  the  conclusion, 
that  to  prevent  pulmonary  consumption,  we  must 
avoid,  as  far  as  possible,  its  causes ;  without,  however, 
relying  upon  tiiis  hint,  I  shall  advert  directly  to  the 
most  prominent  and  effectual  avertive  and  preventive 
measures. 

Cold  Bathin^g. — One  of  the  most  efficacious 
avertive  means  is  the  daily  use  of  the  cold-bath ; 
which  may  consist  of  a  plunge,  a  shower-bath  or  a. 
sponge-bath.  The  bath  is  one  of  nature's  great  tonics ; 
it  excites  the  skin,  with  its  7,500,000 pores  audits  per- 
spiratory and  oil-secreting  glands,  to  healthy  action  ; 
promotes  the  circulation  of  the  blood,  keeps  the  person 
clean  and  the  skin  healthy,  materially  assists  the 
lungs,  liver  and  kidneys  in  performing  their  functions, 
gives  alacrity  for  exercise,  develops  the  muscles  and 
renders  them  hard  and  active,  fortifies  the  system 
against  vicissitudes  of  temperature,  destroys  the  scro- 
fulous diathesis,  promotes  clearness  and  vivacity  of 
the  intellect,  cheerfulness  and  virtue  ;  increases  the 
appetite,  greatly  assists  digestion,' clears  the  complex- 
ion, and  lends  charms  which  even  youth  and  beauty 
cannot  dispense  with.  Both  hefore  and  after  bathing, 
the  skin  should  be  excited  to  redness  by  means  of  a 
flesh-brush  or  crash  towel,  so  that  the  reaction  may  be 
perfect.    This  precaution  should  not  be  neglected,  on 


36  HOW    CAN    Pl^LMONAEY 

any  account,  as  colds,  rheumatism,  lassitude,  diar- 
rhea, indigestion,  pain  in  the  loins,  stiffness  of  the 
joints,  congestions,  bronchitis  or  laryngitis  might 
result,  and  the  otherwise  salubrious  bath  be  convert- 
ed at  once  into  a  source  of  disease.  Bathing  should 
be  persevered  in  throughout  the  entire  season — 
summer  and  winter.  In  winter — to  promote  re- 
action and  prevent  a  chill — it  is  desirable,  in  fact 
imperative,  to  have  a  warm  room  either  to  bathe  in, 
or  to  retire  to  immediately  on  emerging.  The  water 
em]3loyed  should  always  be  cold^  or  at  least  cool ;  in 
summer,  there  is  little  danger  of  obtaining  it  too  cold 
— in  this  climate — but  in  winter,  the  icy  chill  should 
be  taken  from  it  by  allowing  it  to  stand  in  a  warm 
room  for  a  while,  or  by  a  slight  addition  of  heated 
water  or  vapor.  I  consider  water  of  the  tempera- 
ture of  'TS®  F.  for  summer  bathing,  and  60°  F.  for 
winter  bathing  quite  warm  enough.  In  spring  and 
autumn,  it  might  range  from  65*  to  70°  F. 

People  of  delicate  constitutions,  sedentary  people, 
and  even  some  who  esteem  themselves  robust,  find 
it  difficult  to  obtain  immediate  reaction  after  the 
cold  bath,  and  think  they  cannot  bathe  in  cold  water, 
with  profit  or  safety.  This  objection  is  at  once  wholly 
obviated,  if  the  directions  given  in  this  paragraph 
are  strictly  adhered  to.  I  loathe  repetition,  but 
will,  for  the  sake  of  impression,  subjoin  the  correct 
procedure.  On  rising  from  bed,  the  bath  should 
be  in  readiness  ;  the  person  strips,  applies  the  flesh- 
brush,  hair  mittens  or  crash  towel,  until  the  skin 
is  reddened  and  a  glow  of  heat  is  felt — which  will 
cause  cold  water  to  feel  pleasant  upon  the  person — 
uses  soap,  with  a  small  quantity  of  water,  quickly, 
then  the  sudden  plunge,  shower,  dash,  or  sponge,  then 
the  crash  towel  quickly  and  thoroughly  applied,  the 
clothing  immediately  resumed,  exercise  commenced, 
and  reaction  is  m.ore  perfect  than  it  would  be  after 
&  tepid'  bath  ;   and  the  person  will   feel   warmer, 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PKEVENTED  ?         37 

evolve  more  heat,  and  receive  infinitely  more  bene- 
fit than  could  possible  result  from  bathing  in  warm 
water. 

The  reader  must  bear  in  mind  that  while  I  am 
insisting  upon  the  use  of  cool  water  for  the  bath,  I 
am  on  the  subject  of  daily  bathing  iov  preventive  and 
hygienic  purposes,  for  delicate  people  and  people  in 
health,  and  that  I  am  not  treating  of  the  bath  as  a 
therapeittic — curative — agent  for  those  who  are  ill  of 
different  diseases.  If  it  were  my  purpose  to  treat  of 
bathing  as  a  remedy  in  disease,  I  should  do  so  in  a 
separate  volume,  as  such  consideration  would  far 
transcend  the  limits  which  I  have  assigned  to  this, 
which  is  not  absolutely  a  monograph. 

The  thermal  waters  of  Wisbaden,  Teplitz,  Lan- 
decke,  Baden-Baden,  and  Aix-la-Chapelle  in  Ger- 
many ;  of  Bath  in  England  ;  of  Yichi,  Adour,  St. 
Sauveur.Aix,  Dax,  La  Maloux,  Cambo,  Bonnes,  (fee, 
&c.,  in  France  ;  Leuk  in  Switzerland,  St.  Julian  in 
Italy,  and  many  others  oii  the  continent  of  Europe  ; 
the  warm  springs  of  the  United  States,  in  Virginia 
and  l^orth  Carolina,  being  in  most  cases  impregnated 
with  the  different  gases  and  minerals,  are  severally 
noted  for  their  curative  power  in  different  diseases 
and  are  the  resort  of  invalids.  The  healthy  and 
robust  despise  these  sickly  haunts,  and  prefer  a  bold 
dash  and  a  plunge  into  the  clear,  living  river,  the 
cool,  crystal  lake,  or  the  free,  broad  ocean. 

People  not  used  to  the  bath,  should  of  course 
commence  upon  its  use  gradually,  by  bathing  a  little 
and  a  little  more  of  the  person  each  day,  until  they 
can  endure  a  plunge  or  a  perfect  shower.  But,  on 
no  account  should  a  person  commence  with  vjctrm 
wetter^  designing  to  make  it  colder  and  colder  each 
day,  as  this  would  involve  an  achievement  of  far 
greater  difiiculty,  and  is  by  no  means  so  safe.  The 
cold  bath  should  on  no  account  be  prolonged  until 
the  person  becomes  chilly ;  this  habit  constitutes  one 


38  HOW    CAN    PULMONAEY 

of  the  abuses  of  bathing,  and,  for  delicate  people, 
young  children  and  invalids,  is  always  an  injurious 
and  an  exceedingly  dangerous  practice.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  occupy  many  minutes  in  the  whole 
operation  of  rubbing  with  the  brush  or  towel,  and 
wetting  the  person ;  the  latter  operation  is  performed 
by  a  plunge  into  the  bath-tub,  or  by  means  of  a 
shower-bath,  or  even  a  sponge  or  towel,  and  a  bowl 
of  water,  in  from  five  to  fifteen  seconds  ;  which  is 
quite  long  enough  for  invalids  to  endure  the  shock. 
People  of  robust  constitutions,  who  bathe  for  pastime, 
as  well  as  health  and  cleanliness,  can,  when  the  op- 
portunity of  swimming  is  aJfforded,  remain  in  the 
water  for  many  minutes,  without  injury.  Sea-water 
is  preferable  to  any  other  for  the  bath-tub  ;  but  as  it 
is  difficult  to  be  supplied  with  that  at  all  times,  an 
imitation  may  be  substituted,  by  medicating  fresh, 
soft  water  with  salt,  soda,  mineral  acids ,  &c.  The 
proper  hours  for  bathing  are  immediately  after  rising 
in  the  morning,  and  occasionally  just  before  going 
to  bed  at  night ;  but  we  should  never  bathe  directly 
after  eating,  or  when  the  mind  or  body  is  fatigued, 
or  the  person  is  cold,  overheated,  or  in  a  perspira- 
tion. Invalids,  who  cannot  bear  the  bath  early  in 
the  morning,  may  bathe  at  eleven  o'clock,  or  about 
three  hours  after  breakfast. 

Hippocrates,  Aristotle,  Plato,  Homer  and  other 
ancient  authors,  made  frequent  allusions  in  their 
writings  to  baths  and  bathing ;  the  ancient  and 
luxurious  Persians,  the  learned  Greeks,  and  the  rich 
and  chivalric  Pomans,  erected  public  and  private 
baths,  which  astonished  the  world  by  their  almost 
unlimited  extent  and  costly  magnificence.  If  any 
merit  can  be  attached  to  a  custom  or  hygienic  prac- 
tice on  account  of  its  antiquity,  that  of  bathing  should 
stand  preeminent ;  for  none  can  much  ante-date  it. 
In  the  Old  Testament  history,  we  find  the  remote 
example  of  the  patriarchs ;  Abraham  furnished  water 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PREVENTED  ?  39 

for  tlie  three  angels,  his  guests,  who  bathed ;  Lot 
tendered  water  for  the  same  purpose  to  the  holy  two 
in  the  gate  of  Sodom  ;  Pharaoh's  daughter,  attended 
by  her  maids,  went  down  to  the  Kile  to  wash  herself; 
the  waters  of  Bethesda,  Siloam  and  the  flowing  Jor- 
dan, laved  the  sons  and  daughters  and  washed  away 
the  infirmities  of  Judah. 

Air  and  Exercise. — We  claim  for  our  science  the 
remotest  antiquity ;  and  since  the  days  of  Hippo- 
crates, the  great  apostle  who  first  gave  it  legitimate 
character  and  respectability,  medicine,  though  still 
in  its  infancy,  has  advanced  steadily  and  persever- 
ingly  toward  perfection;  elaboratino- the  very  ele- 
ments, and  nearly  all  material  nature  into  healing 
agents.  Gold,  silver,  quicksilver,  copper,  iron,  lead, 
zinc,  bismuth,  &c.,  in  the  mineral  world  ;  the  water 
of  the  sea,  and  the  almost  innumerable  family  of 
plants,  now  yield  to  our  science  their  long  hidden 
sanative  treasures.  The  field  for  exploration  is  so 
vast,  so  prolific,  and  so  enticing  to  the  scientific 
physician,  that  some  are  apt  to  lose  sight  of,  and 
neglect  to  employ,  nature's  simpler  remedies,  and 
this  because  they  are  simple  and  familiar,  but  which 
came  forth  from  the  crucible  of  the  Almighty,  at 
once  the  great  original  supports  and  restoratives  of 
animal  life.  These  beneficent  agents  are  in  the 
power  of  all  mankind,  and  the  author  wishes  to  im- 
press every  person,  and  especially  every  invalid, 
w^ith  the  sure  advantages  to  be  derived  from  their 
employment,  j^o  preventive  and  hygienic  agents 
are  more  simple  and  familiar,  and  none  more  salu- 
tary and  efficacious,  than  the  inhalation  of  pure,  fresh 
air,  and  the  taking  of  suitable  exercise.  Some  phy- 
sicians entertain  the  notion,  that  when  a  person  is 
threatened  with  diseased  lungs,  he  must  at  once  be 
housed  in  a  well-heated  apartment,  and  avoid  the 
fresh  air  as  though  it  were  poison  to  him.  N^o  mis- 
take could  possibly  be  more  fatal ;  none  further  from 


40  HOW    CAN   PULMONAET 

sound  medical  philosophy ;  and  no  course  "will  with 
more  certainty  fasten  upon  the  misguided  patient  the 
very  disease  he  seets  to  avert.  By  the  inhalation 
of  pure,  fresh  air,  the  blood  is  perfectly  aerated  ;  in 
other  words,  deprived  of  carbonic  acid  and  effete 
animal  matter,  supplied  with  oxygen,  and  rendered 
conducive  to  the  healthy  action  of  every  organ  or 
viscus  to  which  it  flows,  and  which  depends  upon  it 
for  life,  nourishment  and  health.  By  exercise,  the 
action  of  the  lungs,  skin,  and  circulatory  system  is 
accelerated ;  this  hastens  the  arterialization  of  the 
blood,  the  consumption  of  fat,  and  the  formation  of 
muscle,  and  thus  a  healthy  and  recuperative  tone  is 
given  to  the  whole  system.  ISlo  exercise  can  better 
subserve  these  purposes  than  walking,  and  if  this  be 
performed  out  of  doors,  the  taking  of  air  and  exer- 
cise is  most  agreeably  and  usefully  combined.  If 
possible,  every  person,  but  more  especially  the  con- 
sumptive, should  spend  several  hours  daily  in  the 
open  air,  occasionally  expanding  the  lungs  to  their 
utmost  capacity,  by  full  and  deep  inspirations. 
Gymnastics,  gardening,  dancing,  archery,  hunting, 
fishing,  swimming,  and  riding  in  a  carriage  or  on 
horseback,  all  afford  exhilarating  and  salutary  exer- 
cise. The  best  time  for  exercising  in  the  open  air, 
during  winter,  is  from  eight  to  twelve  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  and  from  three  until  five  o'clock  in  the  af- 
ternoon. Of  course  these  hours  would  not  be  suit- 
able during  the  extreme  heat  of  summer;  at  that 
season,  the  cool  of  the  day  should  be  sought,  though 
exercise  at  night  is  not  so  profitable  as  it  is  while 
the  sun  is  shining,  because  animal  life  is  nearly  as 
much  under  the  influence  of  the  stimulus  of  light,  as 
the  vegetable  creation  ;  and  this  stimulus  is  quite  na- 
tural and  requisite  to  the  health  of  both.  The  early 
morning  is  the  hour  when  nature  unites  her  varied 
charms,  and  invites  us  forth  to  enjoy  them.     At  the 


CONSUMPTION    BP:    PREVENTED? 


41 


dawn,  the  flowers  and  plants  open,  and  exhale  their 
aroma;  and,  stimulated  by  the  sunlight,  evolve  their 
oxygen  in  floods.  The  sounds  of  the  rippling  brook, 
the  trembling  leaf,  the  waterfall,  and  the  birds  upon 
the  branches,  are  then  uninterrupted  by  the  hum  of 
busyjife.  It  is  very  improper  to  take  active  exercise 
immediately  before  or  after  eating.  The  author  is 
so  deeply  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  taking 
vigorous  exercise  in  the  open  air,  either  to  prevent 
or  cure  consumption,  dyspepsia,  scrofula,  effeminacy, 
debility,  nervousness,  throat  diseases,  cold  feet,  con- 
stipation, depression  of  spirits,  and  many  other  ills 
to  which  the  sedentary  and  thoughtful  are  peculiarly 
liable,  that  he  will  venture  to  repeat  his  injunctions, 
and  will  say  to  the  reader — if  you  wish  to  get  well, 
keep  well,  and  livelong — exercise!  A  short  walk 
once  or  twice  a  week,  or  a  ride  in  a  carriage,  is  not 
sufiicient.  You  must  take  very  active  exercise,  un- 
der cheerful  auspices,  for  several  hours  daily. 

Position. — If  the 
reader  will  examine 
the  plates  which  are 
intended  to  illus- 
trate the  subject  of 
this  paragraph,  he 
may  read,  in  im- 
pessive  and  unmis- 
takable language, 
reflections  which 
words  cannot  so 
adequately  convey. 
For  these  express- 
ive figures,  the  au- 
thor is,  in  part,  in- 
debted to  that  ac- 
complished artist, 
William  CKOOiiE, 
Consumptive.  Esq.,    of  Pliiladel- 

3* 


42 


HOW    CAIT    PULMONARY 


pliia,  who  has  copied  his  de- 
signs with  great  truth  and 
spirit.  The  author  is  deep- 
ly impressed  with  the  im- 
portance of  the  precau- 
tionary measures  of  main- 
staining  a  fine  erect  position, 
and  of  cultivating  perfect 
symmetry  of  the  whole  sys- 
tem ;  considered  not  only 
for  every  member  of  the 
human  family — in  sickness 
and  in  health — but  with 
strict  reference  to  the  un- 
fortunate consumptive.  He 
has  therefore  aspired  to  eli- 
cit the  special  attention  of 
his  readers  to  these  impor- 
tant considerations.  It  is 
remarked  by  observing  for- 
eigners, who  visit  this  coun- 
try, that  many  of  our  peo- 
ple, and  especially  our  wo- 
men, are  comparatively  de- 
ficient in  bust ;  in  other 
Not  Consumptive.  words,    thin    through    the 

chest.  The  author  thinks  his  own  observations  in 
Europe,  especially  in  England  and  Ireland,  confirm 
these  remarks.  These  differences  may  be  owing,  in 
part,  to  climate,  but  he  thinks  them  dependent  in  a 
great  measure,  also,  upon  the  habit  of  stooping,  want 
of  exercise  in  the  open  air,  and  the  neglect  of  other 
sanative  and  hygienic  measures.  Consumption  is, 
without  doubt — partly,  at  least — a  mechanical  dis- 
ease ;  or,  in  other  words,  it  is  caused  by  loss  of  sym- 
metry.    This,  of  course,  comprehends  contraction  of 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PKEVENTED  ?         43 

tlie  chest,  stooping,  gravitation  of  tlie  abdominal 
viscera,  and  other  internal  displacements.  In  seek- 
ing, therefore,  to  prevent  the  malady,  much  depends 
upon  care  in  preserving  the  most  perfect  symmetry 
of  the  person,  and,  in  cases  of  displacement  or  de- 
formity, upon  the  judicious  employment  of  proper 
mechanical  remedies.  While  sitting  or  walking,  the 
head,  neck,  and  shoulders  should  be  thrown  as  far 
back  as  is  consistent  with  ease,  grace,  and  loco- 
motion :  the  chest  should  be  thrown  forward ;  these 
means  serve  to  keep  the  viscera  of  the  chest  (kmgs, 
heart,  &c.,)  in  the  places  assigned  them  by  nature, 
to  make  tense  the  abdominal  muscles  or  belts,  and 
thereby  prevent  the  unnatural  gravitation  of  the 
viscera  of  the  abdomen.  If  the  symmetry  of  the 
chest  and  shoulders  has  been  lost  by  a  habit  of 
stooping  and  hanging  the  weight  of  the  arms  and 
shoulders  forward  upon  the  thoracic  muscles,  the 
unnatural  and  mischievous  attitude  should  at  once 
be  corrected,  not  only  by  care  in  restoring  these  or- 
gans to  their  proper  places  voluntarily,  but  by  the 
assistance  of  a  suitable  and  well  adjusted  shoulder- 
brace.  Incases  where  the  abdominal  muscles  are 
relaxed,  permitting  the  viscera  of  the  abdomen  to 
gravitate  into  unnatural  positions,  the  displacement 
must  forthwith  be  cured,  by  an  easy  but  efficient  ab- 
dominal supporter. 

This  instrument  has  a  wide  range  of  application, 
for  a  full  account  of  which,  the  reader  is  referred  to 
a  subsequent  chapter,  devoted  exclusively  to  this 
subject.  It  is  indispensable  to  consumptives,  ex- 
tremely useful  to  those  whose  occupation  obliges 
them  to  remain  much  in  the  upright  position,  to  the 
corpulent,  to  people  of  a  costive  habit,  to  thore 
afflicted  with  piles,  weakness,  or  prolapsus,  and  to 
ladies  during  pregnancy  and  after  confinement. 


44  HOW   CAN   PULMONAEY 

Diet. — While  we  are  chewing  our  food  it  comes 
in  contact  with  the  excretory  ducts  leading  from  the  sa- 
livary glands  of  the  mouth,  and  stimulates  them ;  caus- 
ing them  to  throw  out  an  increased  quantity  of  saliva, 
which  mixes  with  the  food.  As  soon  as  it  is  swallowed 
into  the  stomach,  the  food  commences  circumvolving 
round  and  round  on  the  internal  lining  of  that  organ, 
stimulating  it,  and  causing  the  secretion  of  the  gastric 
juice.  The  gastric  juice  converts  the  food  into  chyme, 
which,  in  its  turn,  stimulates  the  valve  at  the  pyloric 
orifice  of  the  stomach  ;  the  valve  opens,  and  the  food 
— now  chyme — passes  into  the  first  of  the  small  intes- 
tines— the  duodenum;  the  duodenum  then  secretes 
the  intestinal  liquor.  Here  also  the  chyme  stimulates 
the  ducts  leading  from  the  liver  and  pancreas,  and 
receives  from  them  the  bile  and  pancreatic  juice,  and 
by  the  action  of  these  fluids,  the  chyme  is  converted 
into  chyle,  and  the  lacteal  vessels,  becoming  aware 
of  its  presence,  push  forward  their  mouths  into  the 
complicated  mass,  and  suck  up  the  nutritious  fluid  ; 
w^hich,  after  being  filtered  through  their  glands, 
passes  into  the  thoracic  duct,  and  thence  into  the 
veins,  where  it  mixes  with  venous  blood  and  passes 
through  the  heart  into  the  lungs,  where  it  is  brought 
into  contact  with  the  air,  receives  a  quantity  of  oxy- 
gen, and  becomes  blood — arterial  blood — fitted  for  the 
important  ofiice  of  nutrition.  From  the  blood  is 
elaborated  the  bones,  muscles,  brain,  nerves,  eyes, 
teeth,  hair,  nails,  and  every  part  of  the  human  sys- 
tem, which  is  constantly  undergoing  absor^^tion  and 
renovation  ;  so  that  ]^apoleon  Bonaparte,  w^hen  he 
wedded  Maria  Louisa,  was  composed  of  new  and 
entirely  difierent  particles,  and  could  not  be  styled 
the  same  "conglomerate  mass  of  humanity,  which 
placed  the  crown  upon  the  head  of  Josephine.  Who 
then  shall  say,  "I  do  not  care  what  I  eat  ?"  We  are 
made  up  from  what  we  eat.     Beef,  pork,  chicken, 


CONSUMPTION    BE    PKEVENTED  ?  45 

goose,  oysters,  eels,  frogs,  cabbage,  carrots,  radishes, 
&c.,  &c. 

What  sort  of  a  man,  think  yon,  wonld  ram, 
brandy,  beer,  and  tobacco-juice  nriake?  Bah  !  open 
the  windows  when  the  specimen  enters,  lest  he  spread 
a  pestilence  aronnd  him.  What  sort  of  a  brain  wonld 
pepper,  salt,  catsup,  sausages,  spice,  nutmeg,  and 
turtle  soup  make  ?  Away  w^ith  him,  to  the  mad 
house.  Good,  plain,  wholesome  food,  will  make  up 
a  fine-looking,  full-sized,  manly,  strong,  and  talented 
God's  image;  while  highly  stimulating,  over-rich, 
meagre,  or  badly  cooked,  indigestible  food,  will 
make  you  up  a  puny,  little,  insignificant  demon. 

From  the  remotest  ages,  philosophers  have  labor- 
ed to  establish  and  make  positiye  the  science  of  hu- 
man life,  or  the  science  of  longevity.  They  have 
vainly  sought  for  a  panacea  to  cure  all  ills,  and  inde- 
finitely prolong  the  life  of  man.  Some  have  asserted, 
and  endeavored  to  prove  that  a  purely  vegetable 
diet  is  the  best  j)romoter  of  health  and  longevity ; 
others,  that  an  almost  exclusive  animal  diet  is  the 
true  secret ;  others,  that  taking  only  water  as  a  be- 
verage, constitutes  the  foundation  of  longevity.  Some 
go  so  far  as  to  assert  that  premature  death  is  pro- 
duced by  eating  bread  and  other  farinaceous  sub- 
stances, which  contain  an  excess  of  the  materials 
which  form  bone.  John  de  la  Somet,  of  Virginia, 
was  a  great  smoker,  and  lived  to  be  130.  Francis 
Confit,  in  Yorkshire,  attained  the  age  of  150,  and 
was  a  great  lover  and  consumer  of  fresh  raw  eggs. 
Henry  Hastings  lived  to  be  110,  and  was  a  great 
gourmond  ;  he  ate  beef,  oysters,  game,  pastry,  &c., 
<fec. ;  in  fact  he  did  nothing  but  eat,  drink,  and  hunt 
to  excess.  Margaret  Patten  lived  mostly  on  milk, 
and  reached  137.  William  Sharply,  of  Koscommon 
County,  Ireland,  w^as  regular  in  his  habits  and  very 
abstemious,  and  died,  aged  138.     William  Eiddle, 


46  HOW   CAN   PULMONAEY 

of  Selkirk,  Scotlarxd,  attained  the  age  of  116 ;  liis 
only  drinks  were  brandy  and  good  ale.  Thomas 
Parr  lived  152  years;  he  always  preferred  the  plain- 
est food.  From  these,  and  many  other  instances 
of  longevity  npon  record,  we  find  that  a  very  great 
diversity  of  food  and  drink  were  chosen.  Who  then, 
can  assert  that  man  shall  eat  no  flesh !  or  no  vegetables! 
no  bread !  or  lay  down  any  exact  regimen  for  people  in 
health,  when  it  is  proved  that  people  have  attained  to 
a  good  age  on  very  dissimilar  food  ?  Eat  what  agrees 
with  you,  seems  to  be  the  best  rule  that  we  can  arrive 
at.  He  who  attempts  to  live  in  accordance  with  chemi- 
cal speculations,  will  be  very  apt  to  forget  one  organ 
while  he  is  administering  to  another ;  while  he  is 
feeding  the  brain  with  phosphorus,  he  might  forget 
the  iron  for  the  blood  ;  and  while  starving  the  bones 
and  arteries  to  prevent  ossification,  he  might  over- 
feed with  pigment,  and  turn  his  patient  into  a  negro  ; 
and  while  he  prescribes  alcohol  as  a  beverage,  to 
supply  the  system  with  carbon,  and  because  water 
contains  the  constituents  of  stone,  gravel,  and  bone, 
he  might  lighten  the  system  by  taking  away  four- 
fifths  of  its  natural  substance.  Chemistry  never 
made  a  man  !  nor  any  other  living  being ;  neither  can 
chemical  theories  support  animal  life.  God  gave  us 
life,  and  God  placed  before  ns  food  to  sustain  that 
life !  and  instincts,  appetites,  tastes,  stomachs,  and 
the  judgment  founded  on  experience,  to  dictate  our 
choice.  When  we  require  water,  we  thirst ;  when 
we  require  food,  we  are  an  hungered  ;  when  we  re- 
quire rest,  we  are  fatigued ;  w^hen  we  require  sleep, 
we  dose;  and  when  we  require  alcohol,  tobacco,  lime, 
phosphorus,  or  any  other  medicine,  we  are  sick. 
Some,  indeed  much,  discrimination  is  taught  the 
sedentary  by  experience.  It  is  quite  obvious  that  a 
laborer  requires  more  and  heartier  food  than  a  deli- 
cate student. 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PREVENTED?         47 

Good  fresli  beef  or  mutton,  either  roasted  or 
boiled,  will  digest  in  the  stomach  of  a  healthy  person 
in  three  hours,  while  the  same  meats  corned  and 
boiled,  require  four  hours  and  fifteen  minutes  to  di- 
gest. Recently  salted  pork  eaten  raw  or  stewed,  will 
digest  in  three  hours  ;  the  same  fried,  requires  four 
hours  and  fifteen  minutes;  while  fresh  roast  pork 
requires  five  hours  and  fifteen  minutes.  Some  veal 
never  digests  ;  good,  requires  four  hours  and  a  half. 
Good  fresh  fish  will  digest  in  about  two  hours  ;  rice 
in  one  hour ;  venison  in  one  hour  and  three  quarters  ; 
boiled  milk  in  two  hours ;  potatoes  in  two  hours  and 
a  half ;  bread  in  three  and  a  half  hours;  fresh  raw 
oysters  in  about  three  hours  ;  soft  boiled  eggs  in 
three  hours  ;  domestic  fowls  in  four  hours  ;  and  game 
in  four  and  a  half  hours.  This  knowledge  may  be  of 
service  to  the  invalid,  to  those  troubled  with  indi- 
gestion, and  the  sedentary  ;  but  our  stomachs  difier 
almost  as  much  as  our  characters.  I  therefore  re- 
peat, eat  what  you  find  agrees  with  you  best.  A 
variety  is  undoubtedly  serviceable  to  the  stomach 
and  system  generally,  and  to  the  palate  grateful.  It 
is  very  essential  to  our  enjoyment  of  food,  and  to  its 
perfect  and  speedy  digestion,  that  we  eat  in  a  con- 
tented, calm,  cheerful  humor  ;  if  a  man  must  eat  in 
haste,  or  during  any  excitement,  let  him  take  but 
one-half  the  usual  quantity,  as  his  nerves,  being  other- 
wise engaged,  will  not  attend  to  digestion. 

Children  require  a  restricted  diet,  as  they  do  not 
feed  by  judgment,  but  by  taste  entirely.  Your  candy 
and  patty-cake  children  are  always  puny,  insignifi- 
cant, and  short  lived.  It  is  a  general  error  in  this 
abundant  country,  to  spread  our  tables  with  food 
which  is  too  concentrated,  too  rich.  A  certain  amount 
of  hard  fare  is  absolutely  necessary  to  a  good  diges- 
tion and  to  sound  health  ;  after  a  generous  dinner,  it 
w^ould  be  well  for  every  person  to  take  a  supper  of 


48  HOW   CAN   PULMONARY 

bran  bread  or  corn  cake,  with  one  small  dish  of  cho- 
colate, and  no  butter;  the  morrow  would  bring  a 
good  appetite,  light  heart,  and  clear  head. 

Of  course  no  precise  regimen  can  be  laid  down  in 
this  work,  which  would  be  positively  applicable  to 
each  individual  case  of  consumption,  or  to  him  who  is 
threatened  with  it ;  the  author  must,  therefore,  con- 
tent himself  with  giving  such  general  hints  as  will 
undoubtedly  prove  serviceable  to  every  n dividual 
threatened  with  diseased  lungs.  Those  who  have  giv- 
en this  subject  any  attention,  and  who  possess  the  hab- 
it of  philosophical  inquiry,  can  enact  rules  for  them- 
selves, founded  upon  practical  experience.  The  di- 
gestive organs  vary  with  different  constitutions  ; 
they  are  also  subject  to  great  changes  of  action,  both 
morbid  and  healthy,  so  that  articles  of  food  which 
at  one  time  are  acceptable  to  the  stomach,  are,  at 
another  time  loathsome  and  indio-estible.  There  are, 
however,  certain  articles  of  food  in  common  use 
which  are  positively  injurious  to  people  of  consump- 
tive habits  ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  a  large  and 
sufficient  variety  is  left  to  choose  from,  which  are 
not  only  harmless,  but  which,  in  the  opinions  of 
many  learned  physicians,  exercise  specific  and  bene- 
ficial action  upon  the  disease  in  question.  We  will 
enumerate  some  of  the  most  objectionable  dietary 
substances,  without  entering  into  any  disquisition 
upon  their  specific  action,  and  then  subjoin  a  bill  of 
fare  for  the  invalid.  Amoug  the  former  are  salted 
provisions,  such  as  corned  beef,  pork,  mutton,  and 
salted  fish ;  also  pickled  salmon,  smoked  or  dried 
herrings,  hams,  sausages  (Bologna  and  other  kinds) ; 
roasted  and  stuffed  dishes  of  all  kinds  ;  cabbage, 
pickles  of  every  variety,  cucumbers,  unripe  fruits ; 
fresh,  under-done,  or  heavy  bread,  pastry,  soups  ;  all 
stimulating  drinks,  as  liquors,  wines,  ale,  beer,  cof- 
fee, &c.,  &c.  The  diet  should  be  lights  fidl^  and 
nutritious  y  the  object  being  to  sustain  the  most  vi- 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PREVENTED  ?         49 

gorons  state  of  the  sy stern,  avoiding,  at  the  same 
time,  the  excitement  of  inflammatory  action.  The 
articles  which  will  best  subserve  this  end  are,  milk, 
rice,  stale  bread,  good  butter,  broiled  beefsteak, 
broiled  mutton-chop,  game,  fresh  fish,  fresh  oysters, 
soft  boiled  eggs,  good  Irish  potatoes,  tapioca,  isin- 
glass and  Carriggeen  jellies,  oatmeal  porridge  or 
gruel,  mush,  ripe  fruits,  berries,  iced  cream,  &c.,  &c. 

Clothing. — A  volume  could  be  written  upon 
this  all  important  subject,  and  filled  with  material 
eminently  worthy  of  the  perusal  of  every  individual 
of  the  human  family.  Errors  in  dress  have  been 
productive  in  all  ages,  in  every  country,  and  with 
every  class  of  people,  of  a  vast  and  incalculable 
amount  of  mischief.  Few  passions  take  a  stronger 
hold  of  young  minds  than  that  for  dress;  bat  un- 
fortunately more  value  is  often  placed  upon  its  qua- 
lities of  adornment,  than  upon  its  utility  in  guarding 
the  person  against  the  invasions  of  damp  and  cold. 
In  the  house,  sufiicient  clothing  should  be  worn  to 
keep  us  from  feeling  cold  :  the  feet  especially  should 
be  well  guarded ;  many  people  are  sorely  troubled 
with  cold  feet,  even  while  sitting  in  the  house,  though 
every  other  part  of  the  person  may  be  sufficiently 
warm  and  comfortable.  This  is  especially  the  case 
with  those  who  suffer  from  throa^t  and  chest  diseases. 
Scrupulous  attention  should  be  paid  to  dressing  the 
feet  for  a  walk  on  a  damp  or  rainy  day.  On  such 
occasions,  it  is  necessary  either  to  wear  strong  leather 
boots,  or  shoes  with  double  soles,  or  to  cover  the 
light  gaiter  or  slipper  with  overshoes.  Every  per- 
son of  a  consumptive  constitution  should  wear  flannel 
under  their  linen ;  it  stimulates  the  skin,  catches 
the  insensible  perspiration,  and,  in  case  of  a  slight 
exposure  to  a  draft  of  air,  puff  of  wind,  or  to  a  cold 
apartment,  stairway  or  entry,  it  guards  against 
taking  cold. 

Some    medical    writers    contend    that  flannels 


50  HOW   CAN   PULMONARY 

should  not  be  worn  in  bed ;  this  somewhat  depends 
■upon  established  habit ;  those  who  have  been  accus- 
tomed to  their  use  at  night,  would  find  it  difficult, 
and  perhaps  dangerous  to  leave  them  off*;  people 
who  sleep  with  the  windows  of  their  rooms  open, 
need  them,  to  guard  against  taking  cold  in  cases  of 
sudden  atmospheric  changes.  We  should  not  em- 
ploy the  same  flannels  for  dress  which  we  wear  in 
bed  ;  drawers  may  perhaps  be  invariabl}^  dispensed 
with  at  night,  except  we  wear  them  in  strange  beds 
for  protection. 

The  Welsh  flannels  are  most  expensive,  and 
without  doubt  the  best,  as  they  are  less  liable  than 
others  to  shrink,  and  to  become  too  thick,  tight,  and 
uncomfortable.  Knit  or  v/oven  elastic  shirts  and 
drawers  are  very  objectionable,  as  they  fit  too  tightly. 
Every  article  of  clothing  should  fit  loosely,  so  as  to 
promote  symmetry  of  person,  circulation  of  air,  free 
circulation  of  the  blood,  perfect  action  of  all  the 
muscles,  and  evaporation  of  the  exhalations.  Cloth- 
ing should  be  scrupulously  adapted  to  the  season,  to 
the  weather  and  to  the  state  of  a  person's  health. 
With  adolescents,  a  little  maternal  compulsion  would 
often  save  a  beautiful  and  accomplished  daughter 
from  an  untimely  loss  of  hepJth,  and  from  the  con- 
sequent loss  of  an  ornament  of  great  price — beauty. 

Use  of  Liquoks,  &g. —  Do  not  drink  liquors, 
wines,  ale,  cider  or  beer  as  beverages.  They  will 
impair  your  aj)petite,  vitiate  your  blood,  destroy 
your  liver,  rot  your  lungs,  injure  your  digestion, 
disease  your  kidneys,  bloat  your  fliesh,  ruin  your 
skin,  excite  your  passions,  empty  your  purse,  break 
up  your  business,  estrange  your  friends,  take  away 
your  respectability,  kill  your  intellect,  deprave  your 
heart,  and  metamorphose  you  into  a  heasi  /  Quick 
consumption  closes  the  scene. 

Use  of  Tea  and  Coffee. — ^The  author  would 
not  assume  to  have  his  opinions  received  as  con- 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PREVENTED  ?         61 

elusive  upon  the  subject  of  tea  and  coffee,  but  will 
volunteer  his  judgment  on  the  subject.  He  considers 
water  to  be  the  only  natural  drink  for  man  and  all 
animals,  and  thinks  that  what  is  natural,  is  proper, 
and  most  conducive  to  health  ;  that  all  other  drinks 
are  artificial,  and  that  their  habitual  use  is  injurious  to 
the  animal  economy,  and  therefore  will  shorten  life. 
He  regards  tea  to  be  useful  only  as  an  occasional 
medicinal  stimulant  and  restorative,  but  would  allow 
coffee  for  travellers  across  prairies,  through  ex- 
tended desert  regions,  and  during  long  watches  at 
sea  ;  under  which  circumstances  regular  and  suitable 
tables  are  not  always  laid. 

Use  of  Tobacco. — Tobacco  is  probably  a  native 
of  tropical  America  ;  it  possesses  the  most  j)owerful 
medicinal  properties,  being  narcotic,  emetic  and 
diuretic.  It  contains  also  a  principle  called  nicotin, 
after  J^icot,  the  French  ambassador  to  the  court  of 
Lisbon,who  introduced  the  use  of  tobacco  into  France, 
in  1560.  ]Sricotin  is  a  virulent  poision,  a  few  drops 
of  the  concentrated  solution  being  a  fatal  dose  ;  one 
drop  will  kill  a  dog,  and  one  inhalation  of  its  vapor 
will  kill  birds  instantly.  The  plant  was  first  used 
by  the  American  Indians,  who  taught  the  vice  to  the 
Spaniards.  Kaleigh  introduced  it  into  England. 
Its  use  has  spread  to  every  country  on  the  globe, 
and  it  is  now  the  passion  of  millions.  In  moderation, 
some  constitutions  are  apparently  capable  of  resist- 
ing its  injurious  tendency,  but  many  people  are 
immediately  taken  ill  by  the  most  cautious  attemps 
to  learn  to  chew,  smoke  or  snuff.  It  is  sometimes 
necessary  to  use  tobacco  as  a  medicine,  but  it  is  an 
extremely  dangerous  one,  and  has  caused  many 
deaths,  both  by  its  internal  and  external  administra- 
tion. 

Its  habitual  use  often  causes  insanity,  tremors, 
bodily,  sexual  and  mental  debility,  emaciation,  hys- 
teria, palpitation   of  the  heart,  vertigo,  faintness, 


f 
6^.  HOW   CAN   PIJLMOi?"AEY 

stupor,  cancer  of  the  month,  constipation,  appoplexy 
and  tubercular  consumption.  It  also  enfeebles  diges- 
tion, lessens  the  appetite,  changes  the  taste,  deranges 
the  liver,  destroys  the  teeth  and  gums,  injures  the 
voice  and  sight,  excites  an  appetite  for  strong  drinks, 
destroys  the  relish  for  plain  food,  and  lays  the  foun- 
dation of  diseases  of  the  nervous  system. 

What  rank  should  society  and  science  give  to  a 
physician  who  would  recommend  a  patient  to  learn 
to  chew  tobacco  ?  they  often  do  this,  and  as  often 
themselves  set  the  example.  Often,  in  the  lecture- 
rooms  of  our  medical  colleges,  have  I  been  obliged 
to  ford  floods  of  tobacco  juice,  in  making  my  egress 
after  a  lecture,  ^ot  even  sailors  can  compete  with 
medical  students,  in  the  quantity  of  the  infusion 
which  they  eject  during  a  lecture  on  anatomy,  espe- 
cially when  there  is  a  subject  on  the  table.  They 
have  an  idea  that  tobacco  overpowers  the  stench  ;  it 
may  do  this,  but  for  my  part,  I  could  better  endure 
the  stench  of  the  dissecting  room,  than  that  of  the 
foul  weed.  Smoking  is  perhaps  not  so  injurious  as 
chewing,  snuffing  or  plugging  the  nostrils,  as  the 
burning  of  the  tobacco  dissipates,  in  a  measure,  its 
poisonous  principles. 

Its  habitual  use  in  any  form,  besides  being  an 
insupportable  annoyance  to  ladies,  children,  and  to 
many  gentlemen,  who  chance  to  be  in  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  devotee,  never  benefits,  but  always 
injures  every  person,  under  all  circumstances,  and 
is  emj)hatically  beneath  the  noble  animal  who  alone 
consumes  the  ]3oisonous  and  disgusting  drug. 

Sleep,  and  Sleeping-  Apartinients. — Seek  rest 
and  sleej)  at  regular  and  seasonable  hours.  This  is 
probably  Hygeia's  most  imperative  law  ;  and  its 
transgressors  immediately  suffer  the  pernicious  con- 
sequences of  their  temerity.  During  the  continuance 
of  slee]3,  the  brain  is  integrated,  and  the  muscular 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PEEVENTED  ?         53 

system  is  relaxed  and  gains  contractile  power. 
Circulation  and  respiration  are  retarded,  affording 
rej^ose  to  the  organs  of  these  apparatus ;  tlie  digestive 
organs  perform  their  functions  more  tardily,  afford- 
ing them  proper  restoration  ;  pers^^iration  is  not  so 
active,  assimilation,  nutrition,  and  consolidation  are 
perfected  ;  in  other  words,  the  nutritive  particles 
contained  in  the  blood  which  has  been  made  during 
the  day  time,  are  deposited  in  the  minute  cells 
which  have  been  emptied  during  the  exertions  of 
the  day,  constituting  the  waste  of  the  system  ;  in 
short,  all  the  organs  of  animal  life  are  renovated 
and  adapted  to  renewed  action.  A  man  may  live 
many  days  without  food,  but  would  die  in  a  comjoa- 
ratively  short  time  without  sleep  ;  and  though 
fasting  is  often  very  serviceable  to  health,  and  often 
assists  in  combating  disease,  lack  of  regular  sleep 
always  injures  us.  Six  or  seven  hours  of  uninter- 
rupted sleep  is  far  more  beneficial  than  nine  or  ten 
hours  of  broken  slumber.  Singular  peculiarities  of 
constitution  pertain  respecting  sleep  ;  while  many 
individuals  absolutely  require  eight,  and  even  nine 
and  ten  hours  of  repose,  others  are  perfectly  content 
with  from  three  to  four ;  and  instances  have  been 
known  of  individuals  who,  throughout  long  lives,  have 
only  slept  from  one  to  two  hours  during  the  twenty- 
four.  Boys  dropped  asleep  amid  the  awful  tumult 
and  slaughter  of  the  battle  of  the  ]^ile ;  and  fatigued 
soldiers  have  often  been  known  to  sleep  amid  the 
roaring  of  artillery.  It  is  asserted  that  ISTapoleon 
and  Frederick  the  Great  of  Prussia,  gave  but  a  short 
time  to  sleep,  but  that  the  former  sometimes  slept 
for  a  few  moments  in  the  field  and  on  horseback, 
while  his  impassioned  soldiers  v/ere  winning  his 
laurels  in  the  midst  of  conflict.  Sleeping  rooms 
should  be  large,  elevated,  dry  and  well  ventilated  ; 
but  in  such  a  manner  that  a  current  of  air  will  not 


54  HOW   CAN   PULMONAET 

pass  directly  upon  the  occupant.  There  should  be 
'two  ventilators  in  every  apartment :  one  near  the 
floor,  and  the  other  near  the  ceiling ;  the  latter,  to  let 
out  the  warra  air  and  lighter  impurities,  and  for  the 
ingress  of  pure  air  ;  the  former,  to  give  egress  to  the 
carbonic  acid  gas  exhaled  from  the  lungs.  This  gas 
is  about  one  and  a  half  times  the  weight  of  atmos- 
pheric air;  its  specific  gravity  being  1.521,  and 
consequently  occupies  the  lower  regions  of  the 
apartment. 

The  author  thinks  that  peo23le  in  health  should 
never  sleep  in  heated  apartments  ;  the  air  is  not  so 
pure  and  dense  as  in  cold  rooms,  and  consequently 
will  not  so  perfectly  serate  the  blood,  and  restore  the 
system  to  energy.  Many  invalids^  however,  from 
habit,  or  from  the  peculiar  nature  of  their  diseases, 
absolutely  require  heated  sleeping  rooms  ;  and  if  the 
patient  is  confined  to  bed,  a  warm  room  is  of  course 
indispensable,  not  only  to  hiDiself,  but  to  the  attend- 
ants. Young  people  should  not  occupy  the  same 
bed,  or  even  the  same  chamber,  with  the  aged  or 
infirm ;  not  only  because  aged  and  infirm  people 
vitiate  the  atmosphere  to  a  far  greater  extent  than 
healthy  young  people  do,  but  because  ^^^j  extract 
from  the  young  their  vital  energy.  Besides,  the  pe- 
culiar exhalation  from  very  aged  people,  will,  if 
habitually  inhaled,  destroy  the  firmest  constitution 
of  youth.  I  remember  a  case  in  point.  A  young 
lady  of  eighteen  had  occupied  the  same  bed  with  her 
aged  mother,  continually,  since  slie  was  three  weeks 
old ;  her  nervous  system  became  shattered,  and  her 
general  health  very  much  impaired.  She  consulted 
me  a  few  months  since  ;  and  on  making  inquiries 
respecting  her  habits,  «&c.,  the  above  fact  was  elicited. 
I  immediately  ordered  her  a  chamber  and  bed  by 
herself,  gave  her  proper  remedies,  advised  bathing, 
suitable  diet,  air,  exercise,  and  recreation,  and  had 


COXSUMPTION   BE   PEEVENTED  ?  55 

the  satisfaction  of  seeing  her  speedily  restored  to 
health. 

J^othing  is  more  injurious  to  hepJth  than  the 
crowding  of  several  people  together  in  the  same 
sleeping  apartment.  If  two  people  occnpy  the  same 
bed-chamber,  they  should  select  the  largest  at  their 
command,  nse  every  possible  means  of  cleanliness 
and  free  ventilation,  and  occupy  separate  beds.  The 
practice  of  huddling  several  children  together  in  the 
same  bed,  perhaps  in  a  small  room  already  over- 
tenanted  by  adults,  cannot  be  too  much  deprecated. 
If  five  children  occnpy  one  bed-room,  that  room 
should  be  large,  and  contain  five  small  beds,  if  possi- 
ble. I  have  known  forty  boys  to  occupy  one  large 
dormitory  in  the  Jefierson  College,  Louisiana,  without 
ill  consequence;  but  each  boy  occupied  a  separate  bed, 
and  there  were  no  feathers  in  the  apartment ;  one 
feather  bed  would  have  vitiated  the  air  more  than  ten 
clean  lads. 

Beds. — Sedentary  people,  people  of  delicate  con- 
stitutions and  valetudinarians  cannot  endure  the  ]3er- 
nicions  influences  of  feather  beds.  It  requires  a  fine, 
robust  constitution  to  resist  these  influences.  Feath- 
ers keep  up  an  excessive  insensible  perspiration,  ren- 
der the  body  over  susceptible  to  cold,  prevent  eva- 
poration of  the  exhalations,  keep  the  body  in  a  bent 
position,  relax  and  debilitate  the  whole  system,  and 
as  they  are  frequently  impure,  they  vitiate  the  air 
of  the  sleeping  apartment.  Husk  beds,  straw  pal- 
laisses,  and  curled  hair  mattresses  are  free  from  these 
objections,  and  are  in  all  respects  preferable  for 
every  person,  whether  in  sickness  or  in  health.  In- 
stances are  recorded  of  people  who  have  been  com- 
pletely cured  of  consumptive  symptoms,  merely  by 
exchanging  their  feather  beds  for  hair  mattresses. 
Many  families,  especially  among  the  higher  classes, 
wdio  have  learned  these  matters  by  experience,  have 


56  HOW  ca:s"  pulmonaet 

entirely  discarded  feathers  from  their  houses  ;  pre- 
ferring hair  even  for  their  pillows.  Bedsteads  con- 
structed with  slats  are  far  preferable  to  those  with 
cords  or  sackings,  as  they  are  not  so  likely  to  bend 
from  a  horizontal  position,  and  become  uncomforta- 
ble and  injurious,  by  keeping  the  person  bent.  Be- 
sides, they  are  easier  cleaned  and  kept  pure  and  free 
from  vermin.  Beds  should  be  quite  straight,  and 
nearly  horizontal,  rising  a  little  toward  the  head. 
Our  heads  should  be  but  slightly  elevated  while  we 
are  in  the  recumbent  position. 

Yaeious  Diseases. — Inflammations  of  the  pulmo- 
nary organs  undoubtedly  exercise  more  influence 
than  other  febrile  affections  in  producing  the  develop- 
ment of  tubercles.  Many  eminent  physicians  have, 
however,  advanced  opinions  entirely  averse  to  this 
doctrine ;  the  renowned  Louis  among  the  number. 
Some  contend  that  tubercles  always  originate  from 
imflammation  acting  upon  the  tubercular  diathesis  ; 
but  this  position  is  not  sustained  by  facts,  as  tuber- 
cles are  sometimes  present  without  any  inflammation 
other  than  that  caused  by  their  own  irritation.  Of 
course  there  are  diseases  which  are  more  than  others 
prone  to  be  followed  by  consumption  ;  they  are,  scro- 
fula, typhoid  fever,  scarlatina,  measles,  small-pox, 
bronchitis,  pulmonary  inflammations,  female  diseases 
and  pleurisy.  All  diseases,  however,  tend  to  unci  er- 
mine the  constitution,  and  exercise  at  least  an  indi- 
rect influence  in  favoring  the  development  of  con- 
sumption.  It  is  dangerous,  therefore,  to  neglect  to 
seek  immediate  relief,  from  any  and  all  morbid 
symptoms  Vv'hich  may  at  any  time  attack  us. 

Crowded  Assemblies. — These  should  be  studi- 
ously avoided  by  all  consumptives,  by  all  who  have 
weak  lungs,  and  by  all  who  have  weak  throats.  The 
experience  of  almost  any  invalid  will  corroborate 
the  necessity  of  this  injunction.  The  air  of  theatres, 


CONSUMPTION   BE   PREVENTED?  67 

museums,  concert  rooms,  court  rooms,  ball  rooms 
and  lecture  rooms,  is  vitiated  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent  by  being  breathed  over  and  over,  and  exer- 
cises a  pernicious  influence  upon  the  throat  and 
pulmonary  organs,  and  a  stimulating  or  exciting  ef- 
fect upon  the  circulation,  brain  and  rest  of  the  ner- 
vous system.  Besides,  the  person  is  apt  to  become 
over-heated,  and  on  going  out  in  the  cold  air,  the 
pores  are  suddenly  closed,  and  a  cold  is  the  result. 
Or  it  maybe  our  fate — as  often  happens — to  be  seated 
in  a  draft  of  air,  near  an  open  door  or  an  open  or 
broken  window ;  in  either  case,  a  severe  cold  would 
follow.  Moreover,  people  sometimes  dress  very 
lightly  to  attend  such  places,  and  while  there,  sud- 
den storms  or  changes  in  the  temperature  of  the 
weather,  often  render  it  extremely  dangerous  for 
them  to  proceed  home  without  additional  clothing, 
overshoes,  &c.  These  precautions,  we  are  sorry  to 
say,  are  seldom,  or  at  least  not  sufficient  y  heeded. 

The  Mind,  &c. — One  of  the  most  distressing 
symptoms  to  which  people  of  weak  lungs  or  throats 
are  liable,  is  nervousness  ;  or,  in  other  words,  impa- 
tience, irritability;  or  irascibility.  These  often  ren- 
der them  unfit  to  attend  to  any  business,  less  agree- 
able companions,  and  extremely  hard  to  please  in  the 
sick  room.  They  are  seldom  aware  of  such  changes 
in  themselves,  but  are  apt  to  impute  the  fault  to 
others,  and  to  accuse  their  nurses  of  stupidity  and 
want  of  attention.  It  is  well,  perhaps,  to  speak  of 
these  peculiarities  in  this  place,  as  the  author  pre- 
sumes that  invalids  will  receive  the  announcement 
more  kindly  from  a  medical  adviser,  who  speaks  of 
these  things  in  general  terms,  and  who  does  not 
wish  to  injure  their  feelings  by  personalities,  than 
they  would  from  their  attendants.  On  the  other 
hand,  their  friends  and  nurses  must  remember  that 
they  are  ill,  and  that  they  require  to  be  indulged. 
4 


58-  HOW    CAN    PULMONAEY 

It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  jjeople  who  are  labor- 
ing under  pulmonic  affections,  should  have  their 
minds  easy,  and  at  perfect  liberty  upon  all  subjects  ; 
to  avoid  grief,  melancholy,  anxiety,  despondency, 
irascibility  of  temper  and  despair;  and,  on  the  other 
hand,  by  the  assistance  of  their  kind  friends,  to  cul- 
tivate cheerfulness,  contentment,  hope,  tranquillity, 
serenity,  confidence,  and  pleasing  contemplations. 

These  injunctions  apply  with  equal  force  when 
we  are  in  apparent  health.  ITearly  all  of  us  are 
familiar  with  the  corroding  effects  of  grief,  anx- 
iety, despondency,  irritability,  &c. ;  they  cause  gray 
hairs  and  premature  appearance  of  age  ;  they  prey 
upon  the  physical  man,  and  rapidly  bring  down  his 
body  to  the  couch  of  sickness  and  death.  They  are 
the  diseases  of  the  mind,  and  require  to  be  minis- 
tered to  with  equal  precision,  and  far  more  skill  and 
philosophy  than  is  commonly  bestowed  upon  the  ills 
of  the  body.  The  remedies  for  these  diseases  are  to 
be  found  in  the  consoling  religion  of  Christ,  in  an 
exalted  and  heroic  philosophy,  in  the  society  of 
sympathetic  and  devoted  friends,  in  sound  digestion, 
and  perfect  bodily  health. 

Dosing-  with  ISTostkums. — ^I  am  fully  convinced, 
that  all  of  the  new  and  false  systems  of  medicine, 
founded  upon  exploded  notions  or  suppositions 
borrowed  from  the  older  medical  witers,  and  set 
forth  as  new  and  original,  which  have  been  brought 
out  from  time  to  time,  to  degrade  and  disgrace  their 
pretending  inventors,  perplex,  annoy  and  grieve  our 
regular  faculty,  and  for  a  season  deceive  some  por- 
tion of  the  people  ;  together  with  the  legion  of  patent 
nostrums,  which  are  a  shame  to  the  human  under- 
standing, nothing  but  an  injury  to  the  unsuspecting 
and  unenlightened  v/ho  swallow  them,  perhaps  a 
fortune,  but  a  sure  destruction  to  the  moral  nature, 
self-respect,  and  character  of  every  man  who  makes 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PREVENTED  ?  59 

them,  would  be  liiirled  in  quick  time  into  that 
oblivion  which  in  the  end  so  surely  awaits  them,  if 
the  legitimate  profession  themselves  would  but  give 
over  that  relic  of  barbarism  :  namely,  purposely 
keeping  their  patients  in  ignorance  of  the  great  and 
leading  truths  in  medicine ;  ignorant  of  their  diseases, 
the  nature  of  those  diseases,  and  of  the  remedies 
which  they  prescribe.  If  this  knowledge  were  freely 
given  at  all  times,  it  would  enable  the  invalid  at 
once  to  see  the  fallacy  of  resorting  to  quackery,  and 
invariably  lead  him  to  the  true  succor.  Formerly, 
physicians  prepared  and  dispensed  their  own  me- 
dicines ;  those  were  the  days  in  which  the  science 
gained  true  dignity,  kept  the  confidence  of  the 
community  and  really  benefited  the  invalid.  ]^ow, 
a  physician,  to  be  called  strictly  regular  in  our  larger 
towns  and  cities,  is  required  by  the  weaker  and  less 
informed  of  our  brethren,  to  write  his  prescriptions 
in  medico-latin  abbreviations,  which  the  best  non- 
medical linguist  cannot  decypher  ;  this  hieroglyphic 
shield,  which  the  ignorant  practitioner  raises  between 
himself  and  the  scrutiny  of  his  patient,  is  carried, 
possibly,  to  the  conscientious  and  scientific  druggist ; 
but  with  equal  probability  to  the  vender  of  stale  and 
adulterated  drugs,  whose  boy,  perhaps,  compounds 
the  placebo,  which  the  patient  takes  in  blind  faith, 
and  utter  ignorance  of  his  disease,  the  indications 
which  the  physician  wishes  to  fulfill,  and  of  the  means 
which  he  employs.  These  are  the  evils  which  some- 
times shake  the  faith  of  people  in  the  regular  faculty, 
build  up  new  systems  of  practice,  animate  the  loath- 
some empiric,  and  open  a  market  for  the  innumer- 
able patent  preparations  of  the  ignorant  and  un- 
principled charlatan. 

If  my  brethren  of  the  regular  school  in  medicine, 
would  but  unite  their  eftbrts  for  the  suj^pression 
of  quackery,  upon  a  feasible  and  liberal  set  of  prin- 
ciples, prepare  and  dispense  their  own  medicines, 


60     ^  HOW    CAN    PULMONAEY 

and  teacli  their  patients  enough  so  that  their  own 
invalnable  science  and  services  could  be  properly 
understood  and  appreciated,  five  years  would  suffice 
to  pronounce  the  doom  of  every  newspaper  and 
almanac  nostrum,  compose  the  requiem  of  quackery, 
and  bury  in  merited  oblivion  every  vestige  of  moth 
and  canker,  which  now  hangs  a  plastic  incubus 
around  the  true  science.  Many  non-medical  people 
suppose  that  each  disease  has  a  specific ;  in  other 
words,  that  there  exists  a  medicine  (if  we  could  find 
it  out,  say  they,)  for  each  and  every  particular 
disease,  and  each  morbid  symptom.  This  mistake, 
so  extensively  believed,  is  also  one  of  the  great 
foundations  of  quackery  and  of  quack  preparations  ; 
each  new  pretender  avowing  and  proclaiming  to  an 
astonished  world  !  that  Tie  has  {at  last)  discovered — 
by  using  and  testing  it  in  his  own  case — the  great ! 
sovereign !  and  never  failing  remedy  for  consump- 
tion, scrofula,  dyspepsia,  or  whPct  not  ;  perhaps 
for  all  diseases,  until  we  have  ofiered  hundreds  of 
difierent  and  well  avouched  specifics  for  the  same 
disease,  or  any  disease ;  a  circumstance  quite  suffi- 
cient in  itself  to  show  the  absurdity  of  each  and  all 
such  wicked  j)retensions.  True,  we  have  medicines 
which  act  more  or  less  directly  upon  certain  organs, 
hut  there  is  not  one  positive  known  sjyecificfor  any 
disease. 

Medicines  operate  by  fulfilling  certain  indica- 
tions which  present  in  difierent  cases  of  disease, 
or  of  diseased  or  abnormal  action.  These  indications 
are  contained  in  terms  which  embrace  also  the  action 
of  medicines  :  such  as  purgatives,  emetics,  expecto- 
rants, astringents,  diuretics,  diaphoretics,  alteratives, 
tonics,  stimulants,  sedatives,  &c.,  &c.,  up  to  a  list  of 
about  thirty-five.  There  are  many  articles  in  the 
materia  niedica  whose  action  is  similar,  and  some 
which  possess  a  double  and  even  a  tripple  action  ; 
for  instance,  calomel,  salts,  rhubarb,  jalap,  senna  and 
gamboge  are  all  purgatives ;   while   calomel   is   a 


CONSUMPTION   BE   PREVENTED?  61 

purgative,  alterative  and  stimulant ;  rhubarb  is  a 
purgative  and  tonic ;  many  other  like  instances 
can  be  given.  ISTow  the  practice  of  medicine,  in  its 
truth  and  purity,  consists  not  in  adapting^  a  particu- 
lar medicine  or  specific  to  a  particular  disease,  but 
in  giving  those  medicines — when  medicines  are 
necessary — whose  known  action  or  actions  will  fulfill 
the  particular  indications  in  each  individual  case. 
There  is  another  well  known  fact,  which  at  once 
proves  the  utter  fallacy  of  specifics  ;  many  of  our 
most  valuable  medicines,  which  agree  perfectly  with 
most  people,  cannot  be  taken  at  all  by  some  ;  many 
people  cannot  take  opium,  in  any  form,  and  calomel 
is  sure  destruction  to  some  constitutions.  What  are 
we  to  do  in  such  cases,  with  a  long  column  of  diseases, 
and  a  parallel  column  of  specific  remedies  ?  ^  If 
these  facts  are  understood,  they  will  at  once  convince 
the  reader,  that  medicines  do  not  act  specifically,  and 
that  they  ev/re,  only  by  fulfilling  certain  indications. 
The  doctrine  of  an  universal  remedy,  or  of  giving 
one  medicine  for  a  long  list  of  diseases,  is  shown  to 
be  equally  fallacious. 

In  Europe,  the  medical  colleges  are — as  they  un- 
questionably should  be — in  the  hands  of  govern- 
ment ;  the  professors  are  appointed  and  paid  by 
government,  and  no  temptation  is  ofiered  to  the 
professors  to  smuggle  students  through  their  exami- 
nations and  into  the  profession,  half  prepared ;  but 
students  are  forced  to  study  until  they  can  come  in 
honorably,  by  right  of  law  and  knowledge.  "While 
in  this  country,  our  medical  schools  are  private 
enterprises,  owned,  directed  and  governed  by  the 
very  men  who  receive  pay  for  the  tickets,  give  the 
lectures,  examine  the  students  and  confer  the  degrees. 
What  student  ever  felt  the  influence  of  a  trustee  ? 
thus,  each  set  of  professors,  to  recommend  their  own 
college  to  the  student — who  is  glad,  oftentimes,  to 
get  through  and  receive  his  diploma  with  as  little 


62  HOW    CAN    PULMONAET 

labor  and  preparation  as  possible — gives  examina- 
tions, sometimes,  which  are  a  mere  sham,  and  swell 
their  graduating  classes  to  the  highest  possible 
number.  Isew  York  and  Philadelphia,  both  contain 
several  medical  colleges,  and,  as  the  prosperity  of 
each  depends  upon  cash,  received  from  students,  the 
strife  can  only  be  realized  by  one  Vvho  has  availed 
himself  of  their  still  invaluable  facilities  for  acquir- 
ing knowledge.  For,  as  far  as  I  am  capacitated  to 
judge,  no  medical  teachers  in  the  world  surpass  our 
own  in  the  lecture-room.  But,  it  is  the  clinical  or 
bed-side  instruction  of  Paris,  which  gives  to  that 
great  metropolis  and  centre  of  the  civilized  world, 
unquestioned  sovereignty  in  the  medical  field  of 
instruction. 

l^othing  is  more  universal,  and  nothing  ]nore 
imiversally  lamentable,  than  quackery  in  medicine. 
There  is  not  a  man  nor  a  woman  living  who  does  not 
consider  himself  or  herself  perfectly  competent  to  pre- 
scribe for  many  different  pains,  coughs,  diseases,  inju- 
ries, &c. ;  and  not  one  in  ten  thousand  of  these  na- 
tural doctors,  or  "  doctors  by  experience,"  can  tell,  in 
any  case,  whether  a  headache  proceeds  from  a  dis- 
ordered stomach,  lack  of  accustomed  stimulus,  fever, 
or  inflammation  of  the  brain ;  or  whether  a  pain  in 
the  bowels  is  caused  by  flatulence  or  inflammation. 
If  a  person  has  taken  less  tea  or  coflee  than  usual  for 
breakfast,  he  will  be  quite  likely  to  get  a  headache, 
and,  in  such  an  instance,  an  ounce  of  brandy  would 
probably  cure.  The  same  might  result  if  the  pain 
in  the  head  j)roceeded  from  a  disordered  stomach ;  but 
if  inflammation  of  the  brain  were  present,  the  brandy 
would  be  likely  to  do  irreparable  mischief.  So  in 
pain  in  the  bowels  :  if  it  proceeded  from  colic  or 
flatulence,  a  glass  of  hot  gin  toddy  niight  give  im- 
mediate relief;  but  if  inflammation  in  the  bowels 
were  developed,  the  probabilities  in  the  case  would 
be,  that  the  gin  would  so  aggravate  the  disease,  as  to 


CONSUMPTION   BE   PREVENTED?  63 

render  recovery  impossible.  Likewise  in  cases  of 
cough,  every  person  will  volunteer  their  prescrip- 
tions, whether  he  be  milkman,  lawyer,  cobler, 
statesman,  judge,  or  tinker;  each  tells  his  experience 
in  cough,  and  urges  the  patient  to  try  his  remedy. 
!Now,  the  milkman's  cough  proceeded  from  dyspep- 
sia, the  lawyer's  from  a  diseased  liver,  the  cobler's 
from  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  the  judge's  from  a 
disease  of  the  heart,  tlie  statesman's  from  bronchitis, 
&c.  But  a  case  presents  of  cough  from  tubercles  in 
the  lungs.  E^ow,  is  it  not  plain  that  neither  the  ex- 
perience nor  the  remedy  of  either  of  the  former 
would  be  applicable  to  the  latter  ? 

Medicines  should  never  be  taken  at  all  except 
under  the  immediate  direction  of  a  regular  physi- 
cian. If  people  are  not  sufficiently  ill  to  require  a 
doctor,  then  they  are  not  ill  enough  to  require  me- 
dicine ;  and  if  they  are  ill  enough  to  require  medi- 
cine, then  they  are  ill  enough  to  require  a  doctor  to 
direct  them  what  medicines  to  take.  It  is  far  better 
to  take  nothing  at  all,  than  to  run  the  risk  of  taking 
a  wrong  medicine. 

Hot  or  "Wakm  Watee. — The  author  frequently 
prescribes  hot  and  warm  baths,  hot  foot-baths  and 
hot  vapor-baths  ;  but  he  is  utterly  opposed  to  warm 
bathing,  washing  in  warm  water,  or  bathing  the 
feet  in  warm  water,  in  all  cases  of  consumption  or 
of  consumptive  tendency,  of  bronchitis  and  sore 
throat ;  he  has  bestowed  much  attention  upon  the 
subject  of  bathing,  and  has  never  been  able  to  gain 
any  advantages  for  his  consumptive  patients  by  the 
employment  of  warm  or  hot  water ;  on  the  contrary 
he  has  invariably  found  it  to  injure  them.  It  is 
very  debilitating,  makes  the  patient  delicate  and 
extremely  liable  to  take  cold.  See  his  remarks  on 
cold  water  bathing. 


64 


HOW   CAIS"   PFLMONAEY 


Heeeditakt  Pkedisposi- 
TioK. — Certainly,  if  several 
generations  of  one  family 
have  pursued  that  course 
of  living  which  would  en- 
gender the  consumptive  con- 
stitution, and  while  in  this 
condition  have  become  pa- 
rents, the  offspring  of  such 
succession  would  be  liable 
to  a  hereditary  predisposi- 
tion to  the  same  constitu- 
tion, and  to  the  same  dis- 
eases which  destroyed  their 
ancestors.  I  believe  that 
acquired,  as  well  as  natural 
peculiarities,  may  be  trans- 
mitted to  our  children ;  and 
that,  as  generation  succeeds 
to  generation,  and  nation 
follows  nation,  in  the  mys- 
terious course  of  succeeding 
ages,  our  passions,  tastes, 
P  characters,  and,  above  all, 

Effeminacy.  OUr       COUStitutioUS,    chauge 

with  our  habits  and  modes  of  living.  Even  the  hu- 
man frame  is  subject  to  mutations  of  form.  If 
several  generations  in  succession,  lace  their  waists, 
by-and-by  small  waists  become  natural ;  children 
are  born  with  waists  a  little  smaller,  and,  if  this  evil 
were  persevered  in,  our  posterity  would  have  no 
need  of  corsets.  I  cannot  think,  however,  that  con- 
sumption is  ever  hereditary  among  the  poor  and 
hard-working,  where  both  male  and  female  labor 
together  in  the  open  air.  It  must  be,  then,  that  the 
same  degenerating  causes  which  bring  consumption 
upon  an  individual,  also  bring  it  upon  families  and 


CONSUMPIION   BE   PREVENTED  ?  65 

their  offspring.  It  is  very  plain,  then,  that  to  avoid 
hereditary  consumption,  families,  having  cause  to 
fear  such  taint,  have  but  to  reverse  the  table,  retrace 
their  steps,  and  get  back  to  a  naore  primitive,  simple, 
and  laborious  mode  of  living ;  entirely  avoiding  lux- 
ury, and  that  frightful  despondency — so  much  in- 
dulged in — which  the  anticipation  of  getting  con- 
sumption is  so  liable  to  cause.  We  often  hear  people 
say,  "  It  is  of  no  use  for  rae  to  try  to  avoid  consump- 
tion, for  my  mother  and  two  sisters  died  with  it — it 
is  a  family  disease,  and  what  is  to  come  must  come." 
Nothing  can  be  more  erroneous  and  fatal,  than  this 
desponding  and  sophistical  logic.  It  is  not  true — it 
is  false ;  there  is  no  unavoidable  necessity  in  the  case. 
By  a  radical  change  in  the  mode  of  life,  such  a  per- 
son has  nearly  as  good  a  chance  of  longevity — if  he 
commences  in  season — as  the  most  of  us.  In  fact, 
delicate  and  susceptible  people  oftentimes  attain  to  a 
remarkable  age,  from  the  circumstance  of  their  pos- 
sessing good  sense,  and  hygienic  knowledge ;  and  the 
necessity  of  their  practicing  self-denial  and  submit- 
ting to  a  strict  regimen. 

Eaely  Marriages. — Yery  youthful  marriages  are 
destructive  to  longevity,  courage,  health,  disposition, 
and  intellect.  The  offspring  of  very  young  parents 
usually  have  extremely  delicate  constitutions,  and 
are  very  liable  to  consumption.  It  is,  therefore, 
quite  unpardonable  for  j^'^^rents  to  permit  a  mere 
youth  or  a  mere  child  to  marry.  To  the  young,  de- 
licate and  immature  female,  it  is  like  the  blast  upon 
the  bud ;  she  withers,  and  if  she  chance  to  live 
through  her  early  trials,  and  attain  to  the  age  of 
forty,  at  which  age  all  the  captivating  and  entranc- 
ing charms  of  her  mind,  heart,  and  person,  should 
have  attained  their  dazzling  perfection,  she  will  pre- 
sent the  appearance  of  an  aged  matron,  to  command 
our    commiseration,    and,    instead   of  turning  our 

4^ 


6Q  HOW    CAN    rULMONAEY 

heads  and  electrifying  our  nerves,  claim  tlie  dutiful 
attention  of  the  passe  and  the  infirm. 

In  ancient  Saxony,  marriages  were  regulated  by 
law,  and  the  result  was,  that  she  brought  into  the 
field  whole  regiments  of  soldiers  over  seven  feet  high  ; 
and  strong,  courageous,  and  enduring  in  proportion. 
Suits  of  armor  are  still  preserved,  in  that  country, 
which  these  giants  wore  in  battle,  some  of  which 
show  that  the  wearer  must  have  been  eight  feet  high  ; 
with  them,  consumption  was  unknown. 

The  proper  age  to  marry,  in  this  climate,  is  from 
eighteen  to  twenty  for  ladies,  and  from  twenty-five 
to  thirty  for  gentlemen.  It  is  desirable  to  marry 
into  a  family  noted  for  longevity,  and  free  from  he- 
reditary diseases  :  as  scrofula,  consumption,  diseases 
of  the  skin,  cancer,  insanity,  &c.,  &c.  It  is  quite 
against  nature  for  the  young  to  marry  with  the 
aged;  the  feeble,  the  diseased,  and  the  deformed  in 
body,  mind,  or  heart,  should  never  marry ;  it  is  a 
sin.  Marriage,  on  the  other  hand,  should  not  be 
deferred  until  the  heart  loses  the  elasticity,  hope, 
and  fervor  of  youth.  The  advanced  in  age,  the  dis- 
appointed, the  indifferent,  and  the  experienced  in 
the  wiles  of  the  world,  are  not  so  capable  of  pure 
and  disinterested  love,  as  the  young  and  unsoj^his- 
ticated  ;  besides,  those  whose  characters  are  per- 
fectly formed,  will  not  bend  and  assimilate  like 
youthful  hearts. 

RsARixG  Childeex. — Parents  should  constantly 
bear  in  mind  that  idleness,  luxury,  restraint,  confine- 
ment to  close,  warm  rooms  at  home  or  at  school,  im- 
proper clothing,  gross,  rich,  or  stimulating  diet, 
sending  children  to  school  too  early,  before  the  mind 
has  sufficient  strength,  overtasking  their  intellectual 
powers,  &c.,  &c.,  all  tend  to  make  their  ofispring 
diminutive,  deformed,  pale,  effeminate,  sniveling, 
puny,  peevish,  sick,  insignificant,  and  short-lived. 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PREVENTED  ?  67 

Siicli  children  sometimes  have  painfully  precocious 
minds,  while  children,  but  their  prime  of  manhood  or 
womanhood,  is  usually  characterized  by  weakness  and 
degeneracy.  They  are  the  subjects  of  scrofula,  fre- 
quent colds,  diarrhea,  headache,  dyspepsia,  lassitude, 
throat  diseases,  and  consumption.  Children  should 
have  their  liberty,  should  be  permitted  to  roam  and 
romp  in  the  open  air,  unrestrained,  for  several  hours 
daily.  They  should  be  frequently  washed  and  bathed, 
clothed  strictly  to  suit  the  season,  and  fed  upon  a 
light  and  nutritive  diet;  as  milk,  bread,  rice,  mush, 
potatoes,  a  small  amount  of  tender,  plainly-cooked 
beef  or  mutton,  once  a  day,  oatmeal  cakes  and  por- 
ridge, bran  bread,  a  little  good  butter,  &c.,  &c., 
avoiding  all  rich  and  highly  seasoned  dishes  ;  and, 
above  all,  pastry,  cakes,  hot,  rich  puddings,  floating 
in  butter,  confectionery,  tea,  coffee,  wine  and  ale, 
nuts  and  raisins.  Children  must  have  toys  and  play- 
things ;  they  thrive  upon  amusements,  and  as  they 
grow  up,  they  should  be  trained  to  habits  of  industry, 
to  labor,  and  useful  employments  ;  this  is  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  poor  and  middling-classes,  who 
cannot  afford  to  be  sick,  to  enable  them  to  obtain  a 
livelihood  :  and  still  more  so  for  the  rich,  to  enable 
them  to  enjoy  and  become  ornaments  to  the  high 
privileges  of  wealth. 

Tight  Lacing. — While  the  Chinese  ladies  distort 
their  feet  by  means  of  iron  shoes,  and  American 
Indians  flatten  their  heads  by  pressure,  American 
and  other  civilized  people  distort  their  waists  by 
means  of  stays,  belts,  and  tight  clothing.  Thus,  the 
children  of  civilization  commit  more  violent  outra- 
ges upon  health  and  symmetry,' than  do  their  barbar- 
ous brethern.  If  the  reader  will  refer  to  the  ac- 
companying plates,  he  will  notice  the  effect  of  stays 
in  contracting  and  ruining  a  woman's  waist.  Figure 
1,  copied  from  tlie  Yenus  at  Florence,  represents  a 


68 


HOW   CAN   PULMONARY 


FIGURE  1. 

The  Venus ;  her  waist  is  natural,  and 
the  beau  ideal  of  symmetry. 


FIGURE 


2. 


A  deformity  ;  the  beau  ideal  of  mo- 
dem beauty.  Her  lungs,  heart  and  ab- 
dominal viscera  are  dislocated. 

natural  and  symmetrical  female  form  ;  while  figure 
2,  represents  a  modern  deformity,  the  fruits  of  tight 
lacing.  It  must  be  remembered  that  the  ribs  are 
quite  flexible,  and  therefore  freely  admit  of  contrac- 
tion by  artificial  means,  and  that  the  cavity  of  the 
chest  is  proportionably  diminished  in  capacity.  It 
will  not  be  hard  to  convince  the  reader,  that,  when 
these  changes  have  been  achieved,  the  lungs  are 
jammed,  cramped  and  fettered,  and  the  heart  is 
pushed  from  its  normal  position.  Loaded  with  fet- 
ters, the  lungs  cannot  be  fully  inflated  on  inspira- 
tion, as  there  is  not  sufiicient  room  for  the  expansion 
of  the  air  cells ;  the  circulation  and  seration  of  the 
blood  are  impeded,  congestions,  thickening  of  the 
cell  walls,  and  consequent  debility  and  disease  are 
the  woful  results. 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PREVENTED?         69 

Tight  lacing,  or  the  undue  compression  of  the 
waist  and  chest  by  tight  clothing,  is  a  frequent 
cause  of  cancer  of  the  breast,  displacements  of  the 
liver,  lungs,  heart,  stomach,  abdominal  and  pelvic 
viscera,  &c. ;  of  spinal  curviture,  indigestion,  ruin  of 
the  complexion,  deformity,  and  of  the  destruction  of 
real  beauty,  grace  and  symmetry. 

Climate. — It  has  been  the  practice  heretofore, 
to  recommend  consumptives  to  go  to  a  warm  climate, 
under  the  impression  or  hope,  that  a  mild,  or  bland 
atmosphere,  would  j)rolong  life,  or  effect  cures  when 
medical  treatment  had  failed.  It  seems  to  be  ques- 
tionable whether  such  advice  is  always  judicious  ; 
for,  many  cases  can  be  instanced,  to  show  that  a  high 
northern  position,  where  the  air  is  clear,  cold  and 
condensed,  has  been  very  beneficial  to  the  consump- 
tive, and  has  even  cured  many  seemingly  hopeless 
cases.  Dr.  McPhail,  a  distinguished  surgeon  in  the 
United  States  army,  related  to  me  the  case  of  an 
American  soldier,  which  came  under  his  notice  and 
care  ;  he  had  contracted  consumption  while  serving 
in  Florida,  and  was,  to  all  appearances,  past  hope; 
but,  on  removing  to  the  northern  frontier,  he  rapidly 
recovered,  and  returned  to  the  ranks.  The  West 
India  Islands  have  been  much  frequented  by  inva- 
lids from  the  United  States  ;  and,  in  cases  of  throat 
disease,  bronchitis,  &c.,  I  think  oftentimes  with  great 
advantage.  But  in  cases  of  true  consumption,  it 
would  seem  that  a  dry,  condensed,  tonic  air  would 
be  preferable,  for  the  reason  that  consumption 
is  characterized  by  debility,  and  this  debility  arises 
from  the  diminished  quantity  of  air  consumed  by 
the  lungs  ;  a  state  of  things  which  seems  to  call  for  a 
stronger,  condensed,  and  more  nutritive  atmosphere ; 
hence  many  consumptives  who  go  South  immedi- 
ately sink  and  perish.  But  this  is  a  subject  upon 
which  it  would,  perhaps,  be  injudicious   to  attempt 


70  now    CAIT    PULMONARY 

tlie  institution  of  imcliangeable  rules.  It  is  exceed- 
ingly uncomfortable  for  any  invalid,  that  is  to  say, 
if  he  is  in  a  measure  helpless,  to  be  away  from 
home,  and  the  care  and  society  of  friends  ;  sea  voy- 
ages particularly,  are  worse  than  any  disease  to 
many  people  ;  nevertheless,  I  think  them  extremely 
beneficial,  sometimes,  in  bronchitis.  In  summer, 
mountainous  regions,  a  little  below  the  fog  stratum, 
probably  afford  the  most  healtliy  and  agreeable 
resorts  for  consumptives,  and  those  who  have  weak 
throats. 

Temperpvte  climates  seem  to  favor  the  develop- 
ment of  the  consumptive  diathesis,  rather  more  than 
does  the  frigid  or  tropical.  The  climates  of  Old 
and  'New  England,  being  harsh  and  changeable,  are 
proverbially  bad.  It  is  remarked  in  England,  that 
in  the  northern  and  eastern  counties  of  that  island, 
consumption  is  more  prevalent  than  in  the  southern 
and  western.  This  is  probably  owing  to  the  harsh, 
damp  winds  which  blow  over  these  sections  from 
the  north-east.  The  worst  possible  climate  for  a 
consumptive,  is  that  in  which  his  disease  originated  ; 
hence,  changes  are  frequently  of  great  advantage. 
The  direction  of  the  journey  should  depend  upon 
the  season.  If  it  is  to  be  for  the  winter,  the  patient 
might  perhaps  go  South  ;  if  for  the  summer,  JNTorth. 
The  spring  of  the  year  is  undoubtedly  the  most  pro- 
pitious season  for  a  voyage  to  Europe ;  and  the 
autumn,  for  a  voyage  to  the  West  Indies. 

MoKBiD  Excitement. — At  the  present  day,  all 
classes  of  society  are  running  wild  to  obtain  some 
strange  excitement,  something  out  of  the  ordinary 
course  of  things,  something  new !  something  to  gloat 
over,  and  be  astonished  at!  something  to  captivate  the 
eye  or  ear,  feed  the  morbid  appetite,  or  entrance  the 
morbid  senses,  in  some  way.  This  has  brought  soci- 
etj  to  its  present  unnatural  and  artificial  acme,  and 


CONSUMPTION    BE   PREVENTED  ?  71 

stamped  the  wrinkle  brand  of  death  upon  the  fevered 
brows  of  millions.  This  state  is  termed  civilization  and 
refinement !  The  true  term  would  be,  sickly  artifi- 
ciality ;  a  state  favorable  to  nervous  sensibility,  but 
extremely  averse  to  sanity,  either  of  body  or  mind — 
destructive  to  true  happiness,  and  which  renders 
longevity  a  fable  of  other  days.  "  What  will  peo]Dle 
think  ?"  The  passion  concealed  in  this  question,  rules 
more  people  than  all  the  laws  of  God  and  the  nations  ; 
say  four-fift'hs  of  the  civilized  world ;  the  other  fifth 
live  by  pampering  to  morbid  appetites.  These  things 
have  been  the  curse  and  downfall  of  all  nations,  and 
will  yet  bring  the  present  leading  nations  of  the 
earth  to  the  fate  of  Rome,  Babylon,  Israel,  &c. 
They  have  brought  man  one  thousand  death-dealing 
diseases,  which  many,  in  vanity  and  wickedness, 
unjustly  impute  to  God.  He  made  us  perfect,  in 
his  OAvn  immortal  likeness  ! 

By  morbid  desire  we  fell ;  by  this  same  desire 
we  are  sinking  lower  and  lower.  God  has  chastened 
us,  and  even  sent  his  own  Son,  to  teach  us  how  to 
draw  near  unto  himself,  and  grow  in  that  grace 
which  alone  leads  to  the  happiness  we  so  much  covet. 
In  return  for  this  condescension  and  mercy,  we  nailed 
the  Offspring  of  the  eternal  Yortex  to  the  tree,  and 
ignominiously  slew  him.  Should  we  not  fear  that 
ITe  will  soon  give  us  over,  and  that  om*  sins  and  fol- 
lies will  render  man  extinct,  and  some  future  race 
exhume  our  bones  from  rocks  and  deep  strata,  as 
fossils  of  a  strange  animal,  which  inhabited  the  earth 
when  sin  was  here  ?  This  death  is  upon  us ;  the 
blood  which  circulates  in  our  bodies  is  fast  receding 
from  its  accustomed  channels,  and  concentrating  upon 
the  brain  and  sensitive  organs  in  a  morbid  flood  ; 
leaving  the  vital  organs  and  extremities  unnourisli- 
ed.  Debility  of  these  organs  follow,  diseases  result; 
they  enumerate,  and  will  lead  to  the  extinction  of 
the  civilized  nations. 


73  HOW   CAN   PIJLMONAEY 

The  sources  from  whicb  we  derive  morbid  ex- 
citement are  present  to  every  man's  understanding 
and  conscience.  Let  men  think  over  their  secret  and 
"besetting  sins,  their  ruling  passions,  their  moving 
incentives,  and  they  will  find  that  some  of  the  follies 
or  vices  which  I  shall  presently  enumerate,  compose 
a  vis  a  te7'go^  which  is  hurrying  them  on  to  debility, 
disorganization,  disease,  and  death. 

The  first  source  of  this  morbid  excitement  which 
I  shall  remind  the  reader  of,  is  the  preaching  and 
hearing  of  fiery,  electrifying,  sulphur-bolt  sermons ; 
a  kind  of  artillery,  gotten  up  to  pamper  morbid 
tastes,  throw  people  into  a  kind  of  trance,  and  frighten 
the  sensitive  and  nervous  into  a  fold,  into  which  we 
should  rather  be  led  by  the  silken  cords  of  heavenly 
persuasion.  People  will  fiock  to  and  crowd  a  church 
where  the  best  music  is  to  be  heard,  or  where  the 
preacher  entertains  his  auditors  with  novelty,  elo- 
quence, or  ranting ;  or  where  he  harrows  the  soul 
with  frightful  chasms  and  precij)ices,  across  which 
God's  wrath  is  pictured  to  roll  in  mountains  of  flame 
and  smoke,  ready  to  receive  the  unbending  sinner, 
who,  at  that  moment,  is  j^oisecl,  and  tottering  upon 
the  very  brink !  A  few  stragglers  only  surround  the 
man  of  God,  who  takes  the  great  Model  for  his  guide 
and  repeats,  "  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they 
shall  see  God." 

j^ov el  reading  is  doubtless  also  one  of  the  princi- 
pal sources  of  morbid  excitement  for  the  young;  the 
other  evils  attending  it  are,  waste  of  time,  distaste  and 
neglect  of  useful  books  and  employments,  aspiration 
to  become  a  hero  or  heroine,  and  live  over  just  such 
scenes  ;  having  respect  and  admiration  for  lofty  cha- 
racters only;  and  despising  plain,  common-place  peo- 
ple and  things;  giving  one  a  false  estimate  of  the 
world,  and  leading  him  or  her  to  think  themselves 
fitted  to  be  just  such  characters ;  encouraging  the 


CONSUMPTION  BE  PREVENTED  ?  Y3 

printing  and  vending  of  trash ;  exciting  passions, 
which  should  remain  dormant,  like  the  seed  in  the 
pyramid ;  and  erecting  impm-e  and  false  standards, 
dressed  in  enticing  colors,  which  the  young  will  often 
imitate,  and  which  leads  to  ruin. 

I  shall  not  fatigue  the  reader  with  details,  but 
give  him  more  heads  or  causes  of  morbid  excite- 
ment, and  leave  him  to  fill  them  out  in  accordance 
with  his  own  observation  and  experience.  Balls, 
theatres,  the  turf,  gambling  rooms,  polities,  prima 
donnas,  money-making,  knockings,  biology^  astrology, 
court  trials,  gallantry,  tfec,  &c. 


PAET  FOUETH. 

HOW  CAN  IT  BE  ASCERTAINED  WITH  CERTAINTY  AND 
PRECISION,  THAT  A  PERSON  HAS,  OR  HAS  NOT  CON- 
SUMPTION, or  WHAT  HIS  DISEASE  REALLY  IS  'P 


Auscultation,  assisted  by  percussion  and  mensu- 
ration, reveals  to  the  well-trained  and  experienced 
pliysician,  the  2>hysical  signs  connected  with  the  dif- 
ferent diseases  of  the  chest.  These  signs,  when 
taken  in  connection  with  the  history  and  symptoms 
of  the  case,  enable  him  to  define  with  great  certainty 
the  precise  location  and  character  of  those  diseases. 
The  lungs  of  a  person  in  health,  give,  during  respira- 
tion, sounds  which  are  termed  normal,  or  natural. 
In  disease,  they  give  abnormal,  or  pathological,  or 
unnatural  sounds.  These  sounds  afford  to  the  phy- 
sician an  ample  field  for  study.  He  must  study  them 
until — like  a  musician — his  ear  is  practiced.  In 
diagnosing  or  detecting  the  tuberculous  or  scrofulous 
constitution,  antecedent  to  the  actual  and  apparent 
development  of  tubercle  in  the  lungs,  auscultation 
and  percussion  are,  of  course,  not  applicable ;  this 
state  must  be  detected  by  induction  alone.  Thus,  if 
a  patient's  father,  mother,  brothers  and  sisters  have 
all  died  of  consumption,  the  inductive  conclusion  is, 

*  It  is  not  expected  that  the  non-medical  reader  will  peruse  the 
answer  to  this  question  with  much  interest,  as  it  is  quite  technical, 
and  the  author  does  not  deem  it  desirable  to  insert  the  terms  em- 
ployed, in  the  glossary.  The  author  refers  those  who  wish  to  study 
this  subject,  to  his  work  on  Auscultation  and  Percussion. 


HOW   CAN  CONSUMPTION    BE   ASCERTAINED  ?         75 

that  he,  too,  has  the  germ  of  the  fell  destroyer  plant- 
ed in  his  bosom.  For  the  benefit  of  those  who  are 
particularly  interested  in  this  subject,  the  physical 
signs  of  consumption,  in  its  different  stages ;  of 
bronchitis,  pneumonia,  and  heart  diseases — as  re- 
vealed by  auscultation  and  percussion — are  sub- 
joined. 

The  lungs,  in  their  normal  or  healthy  condition, 
give,  on  percussion,  a  clear  sound  over  every  part  of 
the  chest,  except  in  the  regions  of  the  heart  and  liver, 
where  it  is  dull.  Auscultation  of  the  respiration, 
gives  two  sounds,  one  belonging  to  inspiration,  whicli 
is  the  stronger,  and  the  other  belonging  to  expiration, 
which  is  the  v^eaker.  These  sounds  are  equally  au- 
dible over  both  sides  of  the  chest,  but  are  heard 
more  distinctly  in  the  superior  than  in  the  inferior 
regions.  Auscultation  of  the  voice  and  cough,  gives 
the  natural  pectoral  fremitus,  natural  bronchophony, 
and  natural  pectoriloquy. 

In  the  first  stage  of  consumption,  we  have,  on 
percussion,  dullness,  on  or  under  the  clavicles.  On 
auscultation  of  the  respiration,  we  have  a  diminution 
of  the  duration  of  inspiration,  and  an  augmentation 
of  the  duration  and  intensity  of  expiration.  Occa- 
sionally, the  pulmonary  crumpling  sound  of  Fournet, 
and  l)Tuit  de  craqiiement  jjyidrrionaire  (a  dry  crack- 
ling rale.)  Auscultation  of  the  voice,  gives  an  in- 
creased resonance  at  the  apex  of  the  lung. 

In  the  second  stage^  percussion  gives  us  a  marked 
dullness  under  the  clavicles,  and  extending  also  be- 
low them.  Auscultation  of  the  respiration,  gives  a 
diminution  of  duration  and  intensity  of  the  inspira- 
tory murmur,  augmentation  of  intensity  and  dm-ation 
of  the  expiratory  murmur,  bronchial  resj)iration  with 
humid  crackling  rale,  succeeded  by  mucous  rale  in 
the  upper  lobes,  puerile  respiration  in  the  lower 
lobes,  and  sounds  of  the  heart  audible   under  the 


76  HOW    CAN   THE   EXISTENCE    OF 

clavicles.  Auscultation  of  the  voice  and  cough, 
gives  broncliopliony  and  bronchial  cough,  and  a  di- 
minution of  the  natural  vibration  of  the  voice. 

Third  Stage.  Percussion  gives  a  dull  sound,  if 
the  cavity  is  small,  and  the  contiguous  portions  of 
the  lungs  tuberculated.  But  if  the  cavity  is  large 
and  empty,  the  sound  is  generally  tympanitic.  Oc- 
casionally, there  is  hruit  cle  pot  feU  (sound  of  a 
cracked  jar.)  Auscultation  of  the  respiration,  gives 
gargoidllement  (a  gurgling  or  cavernous  rale,)  which 
is  equally  marked  during  inspiration  and  expiration, 
cavernous  respiration,  amphoric  respiration,  tinte- 
ment  tnetallique  (metallic  tinkling)  occasionally. 
Auscultation  of  the  voice  and  cough  gives  pectori- 
loquy ,  occasionally  tinteraent  'inetalUque  and  caver- 
nous cough. 

In  acute  bronchitis,  the  sound  upon  percussion 
is  normal,  unless  there  is  pulmonary  congestion, 
when  it  is  slightly  dull.  In  these  cases  the  dullness 
is  most  marked  upon  the  lower  and  posterior  parts 
of  the  chest.  Auscultation  of  the  respiration  gives, 
on  inspiration,  a  subcrepitant  rale,  and  a  mucous  rale 
in  the  advanced  stage,  accompanying  inspiration 
and  exjoiration.  In  the  early  stage,  sonorous  and 
sibilous  rales  accompanying  both  inspiration  and 
expiration.  Sometimes  the  respiratory  murmur  is 
increased  in  intensity,  sometimes  diminished,  and 
sometimes  it  is  partially  extinct.  Auscultation  of 
the  voice  and  cough,  reveals  no  reliable  evidence  in 
any  form  of  bronchitis. 

In  chronic  bronchitis,  percussion  gives  sounds 
very  similar  to  those  elicited  in  acute  bronchitis. 
Auscultation  of  the  respiration  shows  the  respira- 
tory murmurs  generally  more  feeble  than  natural, 
and  always  accompanied  by  a  mucous,  sibilous,  or 
sonorous  rale,  and  sometimes  by  a  sub-crepitant 
rale. 


CONSUMPTION    BE   ASCERTAINED?  77 

In  pneumonia  (inflammation  of  the  lungs,)  in  the 
first  stage,  percussion  reveals  a  slightly  dull  sound. 
Auscultation  of  the  respiration,  shows  the  respira- 
tory murmurs  diminished — sometimes  quite  absent. 
There  is  a  crepitant  rale  which  is  heard  only  in  in- 
spiration. Puerile  respiration,  says  Dr.  Stokes, 
precedes  the  crepitant  rale. 

In  the  second  and  third  stages  of  pneumonia, 
percussion  reveals  a  dull  sound  over  the  site  of  the 
inflammation.  Auscultation  of  the  respiration  re- 
veals bronchial  respiration,  and  absence  of  the 
respiratory  murmurs  and  of  the  crepitant  rale ;  in 
the  third  stage,  the  muco-crepitant  rale.  In  the 
healthy  part  of  the  lung,  we  have  puerile  or  supple- 
mentary respiration. 

Diseases  of  the  Heaet. — ^To  become  accom- 
plished in  detecting  the  diseases  of  the  heart,  the 
physician  or  student  must  first  study  the  chest  and 
heart  in  a  normal  state,  which  will  enable  him  the 
more  readily  to  detect  pathological  variations.  The 
first  sound  of  the  heart  is  heard  during  the  contrac- 
tion or  systole  of  the  ventricles,  and  is  in  unison 
with  the  pulsation  of  the  arteries  ;  it  is  heard  plain- 
est under  the  fifth  rib,  and  is  the  most  dull,  and  the 
stronger  of  the  two  sounds.  The  second  sound 
occurs  during  the  diastole  of  the  ventricles,  and  is 
clearest  and  is  heard  plainest  under  the  third  rib. 
The  region  of  the  chest  which  is  rendered  dull  on 
percussion,  by  the  heart,  is  about  three  fingers  broad, 
extending  from  the  third  to  the  sixth  rib.  In  com- 
mencing an  examination  of  the  heart,  we  first  look 
at  the  chest,  and  observe  whether  it  is  symmetrical 
or  hombe  (arched)  over  the  heart,  indicating  enlarge- 
ment of  that  organ.  The  beatings  of  the  heart  are 
next  to  be  examined  by  the  eye,  next  by  the  hand, 
and  finally  by  the  ear.  The  pulsation  of  the  arteries 
must  be  examined  at  the  wrist.     The  heart  may  be 


78         HOW    CAN    CONSrMPTION   BE    ASCERTAIXED  ? 

found  pushed  from  its  normal  location,  and  its  beat- 
ings, instead  of  "being  heard  in  their  proper  places, 
may  be  heard  under  the  sternnm,  or  even  on  the 
right  side.  The  first  or  second  sound  of  the  heart 
may  have  a  souffle  (bellows'  mm^mur)  and  this  souffle 
may  be  heard  by  the  intervention  of  the  stethoscope, 
in  the  aorta  and  carotid  arteries. 

It  would  be  utterly  inadvisable  to  discuss  this 
subject  at  any  length  in  a  work  of  this  description, 
intended  as  it  is,  princij^ally  for  the  non-medical 
reader ;  but  if,  by  the  author's  remarks,  he  succeeds 
in  inducing  a  few  only  of  the  profession,  to  study 
and  become  proficient  in  this  all  important  branch 
of  medical  knowledge,  he  will  not  have  written  in 
vain.  He  will  content  himself  with  subjoining  the 
physical  signs — as  revealed  by  auscultation — of  a  few 
diseases  of  the  heart. 

COXTEACTIOX    OF   THE    AOP.TIC    SEMILrXAP.    VALVES. 

Auscultation  reveals  hruit  de  souffle  at  i\iQ  first  ^oundi 
of  the  heart,  which  is  heard  at  its  hase  /  it  is  also 
heard  in  the  aorta  and  in  the  carotid. 

CONTE  ACTION    OF    THE    :m:ITEAL    OK    LEFT    AUEICULO- 

VEXTPJCULAK  oPEXDs  G. — Auscultatiou  reveals  hruit  de 
souffle  at  WL^fii'st  sound,  which  is  heard  at  ihQ point 
of  the  heart. 

DiLiTATioN. — Pulse  weak,  slow  and  irregular; 
beatings  of  the  heart  heard  all  over  the  chest,  their 
impulse  also  weak,  slow  and  irregular.  There  is 
a  more  extensive  dullness  on  percussion. 


1^ 


¥Uf> 


PAET   FIFTH. 

HOW,  OE    BY  WHAT  :&IEANS,    CAN  PULMONAET    COKSUMT- 
TION    EE    CUEED? 


By  means  of  a  full  and  rigid  administration 
of  the  great  laws  of  hygiene  or  health,  applied  to 
diet,  air,  exercise,  bathing,  clothing,  mental  employ- 
ment and  ^the  regulation  of  all  the  habits  already 
laid  down   as  preventives  ; 

By  the  nse  of  mechanical  remedies  to  restore  lost 
symmetry,  inflate  the  lungs,  expand  the  chest,  and 
support  the  abdomen  and  lungs  ; 

By  the  direct  inhalation  or  breathing  of  medicinal 
agents  in  powder,  vapor  and 'gases  into  the  lungs,  by 
means  of  inhalers  and  otherwise ; 

By  means  of  medicated  baths,  which  are  varied 
to  render  them  applicable  to  different  constitutions. 

And  by  the  employment  of  suitable  and  long-es- 
tablished medicines,  addressed  to  the  constitution ; 
to  correct  the  tnbercular  and  scrofulous  diathesis, 
cleanse  the  blood,  pnrify  the  system,  and  regu- 
late digestion,  nntrition,  assimilation,  absorption, 
secretion,  &c.,  &c.  This,  this  is  the  way  to  cure 
consumption  I  while  the  treatment  at  present  em- 
ployed by  most  physicians  in  this  tenible  disease,  is 
avowedly  and  in  fact,  only  pcdUaiive.  The  symp- 
toms merely,  are  prescribed  for;  thus  for  cough, 
opiates,  nausiants,  and  expectorants  are  administer- 
ed ;    for   debility,  tonics ;    for   constipation,  aperi- 


80  HOW   CAN    PULMONARY 

ents ;  for  night-sweats,  acids  ;  and  so  on  through  the 
multitudinous  list  of  symptoms.  The  disease,  how- 
ever, progresses  surely  and  almost  invariably  toward 
the  sad  event  which  consigns  the  unfortunate  patient 
to  his  tomb.  How  and  why  is  this  ?  Why  is  not 
the  curative  treatment  instituted?  Plainly  because, 
with  the  great  mass  of  the  profession,  no  true,  sound, 
rational  and  philosophical  principles  at  present  per- 
tain, respecting  this  scourge  of  the  human  family, 
upon  which  they  are  able  to  institute  a  radical  mode 
of  treatment.  Many  medical  gentlemen  at  once 
unite  in  condemning  and  blasting — if  possible — the 
reputation  and  prospects  of  any  member  of  the  pro- 
fession, who  presumes,  in  violation  of  the  sacred 
edicts  of  the  faculty,  to  entertain  for  one  moment,  the 
treasonable  thought,  that  consumption  can  be  cured. 

Unlearned  and  unprincipled  adventurers  in  med- 
ical science,  take  advantage  of  this  self-asserted  in- 
capacity of  most  physicians  to  treat  consumption 
successfully,  and  foist  upon  the  credulous  and  un- 
wary invalid,  some  o?ie,  perhaps  several^  of  the  in- 
numerable empirical  nostrums  which  they  invent, 
and  which  are  recommended  (in  shame  I  confess  it,) 
by  many  gentlemen  who  have  honorably  and  legiti- 
mately attained  the  title  of  Doctor  in  Medicine  ;  and 
by  some  manoeuvre,  these  men  obtain  cirtificates, 
which  pur]3ort  to  be  signed  by  people  who  have  been 
cured  of  consumption,  "  after  some  ten  or  twelve  of 
the  regular  faculty  had  given  the  patient  up."  The  ex- 
traordinary facilities  which  the  art  of  printing,  in  its 
present  perfected  state,  affords  these  men  of  spread- 
ing far  and  wide  their  unprincij)led  pretensions  and 
unblushing  falsehoods,  is  a  secret  of  their  wonderful 
success  in  making  vast  fortunes,  at  the  expense  of 
the  sick,  the  distressed,  and  the  unsuspecting. 

In  this  way  precious  time  is  lost,  the  favorable 
moment  for  successful  treatment  passes  away,  the 


CONSUMPTION    BE   CURED?  81 

patient's  disease  alarmingly  progresses,  lie  loses  hope, 
nis  friends  despair,  and  his  chance  of  recovery  is  ma- 
terially lessened,  even  nnder  the  proper  treatment. 

The  great  mass  of  the  profession  have  heretofore 
proclaimed  consumption  to  be  forever  incurable  ; 
thus  at  least  seeking  to  shield  their  own  incompe- 
tence. Their  proclamations  of  course  convinces  us 
that,  in  their  practice,  the  assertion  is  too  true ;  long 
arrays  of  gloomy  epitaphs,  in  every  churchyard,  are 
also  their  witnesses.  And  because  they  fail,  they 
would  wish  to  consider  failure  inevitable.  But  the 
present  is  an  age  in  which  the  huge  black  seal  of 
superstition,  which  has  long  been  fastened  upon  the 
fountains  of  knowledge,  is  being  broken  and  scat- 
tered before  the  bright  car  of  science  and  discovery, 
which  enlightens  every  dark  corner  in  the  regions 
of  ignorance;  and,  aspirations  and  projects  which 
were,  in  ages  past,  considered  to  be  only  fanciful 
and  chimerical,  are  now  the  common  and  indispen- 
sable servants  of  that  mind  which  God,  throughout 
creation,  declares  to  be  forever  progressive. 

Beware,  then,  of  those  physicians  who  invariably 
pronounce  the  doom  of  death  upon  all  consumptives. 
With  them  there  is,  by  their  own  avowal,  no  retri- 
bution. I  would  have  you  equally  beware  of  those 
who  tell  you  that  consumption  is  as  curable  as  any 
fever  ;  that  they  cure  eight  out  of  ten  cases  of  true 
consumption  ;  and  that  they  can  cure  consumption 
even  when  the  lungs  are  extensively  destroyed  by 
tubercles  and  ulceration.  The  last  professions  have 
not  even  the  merit  of  the  first,  for  they  are  unmiti- 
gated and  unprincipled  mendacity  and  deceit.  The 
first  are  truth  !  as  far  as  those  who  proclaim  them 
are  concerned.  But,  reader,  our  profession  boasts 
of  names  which  are  world-renowned  and  illustrious 
— bright  stars  in  medicine.  Stokes,  "Wood,  Louis, 
Laennec,  Lugol,  and  Broussais,  comprise  autliority 

5 


82  HOW    CAN   rULMONART 

to  whicli  all  who  have  read  their  works  bow  in  rever- 
ence. They  tell  ns  that  consummation  can  be  cnred, 
is  cured,  and  that  they  have  cured  it.  Let  their 
words,  then,  be  our  motto,  and  let  us  press  onward 
in  those  discoveries  which  are  daily  throwing  new 
light  upon,  and  giving  us  new  powers  over  this  ter- 
rific disease. 

After  a  long  and  laborious  investigation  of  this 
subject,  and  much  experience  in  the  treatment  of 
lung  diseases,  the  author  has  been  irresistibly  led  to 
the  following  conviction,  in  regard  to  the  curability 
of  consumption  with  our  present  knowledge.  Up  to 
a  certain  point  or  stage  in  the  disease,  he  firmly  and 
confidently  believes  it  to  be  eminently  curable  ;  but 
if  the  disease  has  progressed  so  far  as  to  interfere 
essentially  with  the  respiration  and  the  perfect  ar- 
terialization  of  the  blood,  the  case  becomes  more 
complicated,  and  a  cure  is  far  more  difficult ;  in  his 
belief,  extremely  doubtful ;  although  it  is  an  unde- 
niable truth,  that  cures  of  advanced,  cases  have  been 
made,  as  has  been  proved  by  post  mortem  examina- 
tions of  individuals  in  whose  lungs  large  cicatrixes 
or  scars  were  found,  these  individuals  having  died, 
at  advanced  ages,  of  other  diseases.  The  case  of  the 
late  Dr.  Joseph  Parrish,  of  Philadelphia,  is  familiar 
to  all. 

Since  the  above  was  written,  I  have  seen  so  many 
cases  get  well  Avhich  my  judgment  and  previous  ex- 
perience would  have  j)i'onounced  incurable,  that  I 
now  do  not  despair  of  curing  any  case,  unless  a  com- 
plication of  extremely  unfavorable  circumstances 
seems  to  render  it  absolutely  impossible.  In  truth,  my 
experience  and  practice  have  taught  me  thp.t  consump- 
tion is  indeed  a  curable  disease  !  I  would  fain  have 
confidence  to  pronounce  any  and  every  case,  no 
matter  of  how  long  standing — no  matter  what  the 
extent  of  its  ravages,  to  be  easily  and  perfectly  cura- 


CONSUMPTION   BE    CURED?  83 

ble !  But  this,  alas,  is  impossible ;  in  this,  as  in 
other  diseases,  I  would  say  to  consumptives,  do  not, 
because  your  case  seems  to  be  a  bad  one,  or  because 
physicians  or  others  have  pronounced  you  incurable, 
despair  of  being  cured,  under  the  treatment  which 
I  have  indicated  in  this  part  of  my  book;  which 
treatment  has  saved  hundreds  from  falling  into  con- 
sumption, cured  a  vast  number  who  were  in  the  first 
stages,  and  restored  many  to  health  and  happiness, 
who  seemed  to  be  on  the  very  precincts  of  the  grave. 
By  despair  all  is  lost ;  by  a  firm  and  prayerful  de- 
termination, and  God's  blessing,  the  goal  maybe  won. 

Even  if  I  were  to  admit  that  popular  i3ut  fatal 
error — namely,  the  incurability  of  consumption, 
which,  to  my  dying  hour,  will  I  proclaim  to  be  an 
error,  and  labor  to  prove  it  such,  still  would  I  de- 
precate the  equally  popular  and  more  fatal  medica- 
tion of  those  gentlemen  who  doctor  their  patients 
against  principle  and  against  hope. 

Dissections  and  careful  examinations  of  indivi- 
duals who  have  died  suddenly,  or  by  violence,  are 
every  day  proving  that  at  least  four-fifths  of  the  hu- 
man family  have  more  or  less  tubercular  deposit  in 
the  lungs  and  other  parts  of  the  system,  even  when 
nothing  of  the  kind  is  suspected,  and  when  there  is 
no  great  apparent  reason  to  infer  that  the  individuals 
thus  effected  are  in  ill  health.  For  the  proof  of  this 
position  we  have,  among  other  authority,  that  of  M. 
Boudet,  who  has  given  the  French  Academy  of  Sci- 
ences the  result  of  his  extended  and  laborious  inves- 
tigations of  this  subject.  Out  of  332  cases  of  indi- 
viduals examined  by  that  gentleman,  who  had  been 
accidentally  killed,  or  who  had  died  of  various  dis- 
eases, no  less  than  264  had  either  tubercles  or  scars 
across  the  lungs,  or  remains  of  caverns  which  had 
puckered  together  and  healed.  My  own  observation 
justifies  me  in  the  assertion,  however  startling  it  may 
seem,  that  scarcely  a  person  in  the  civilized  part  of 


84:  HOW   CAN   PULMONARY 

the  world  attains  to  tlie  age  of  fortj-five,  without 
having  had,  at  some  period  of  their  lives,  tubercles 
in  their  lungs ;  or,  in  other  words,  true  tubercular 
consumption,  and  that  thej  have  been  cured  of  it, 
perhaps,  several  times.  It  is  only  when  the  disease 
gets  full  control  over  the  recuperative  powers  of  the 
system,  that  its  symptoms  become  so  apparent  and 
its  ravages  so  dreadful. 

Many  facts  can  be  adduced  to  substantiate  the 
truth  of  my  position,  besides  those  already  alluded 
to;  and  one  is,  that  many  individuals  have  been 
known  to  be  in  consumption  for  forty  years,  and 
finally  to  perish  of  it ;  others  have  a  cough  for  twenty, 
thirty,  and  even  fifty  years,  and  at  last  die  of  con- 
firmed consumption.  Who  can  doubt  the  presence 
of  tubercles  in  such  cases  ?  Indeed,  auscultation 
often  reveals  their  presence  when  neither  the  patient 
nor  his  friends  suspect  the  lungs  to  be  effected. 
(How  natural  it  is  for  a  mean,  untutored  mind,  to 
disparage  and  sneer  at  scientific  achievements,  which 
it  cannot  comprehend  or  profit  by!  Let  those  igno- 
rant pretenders  in  the  art  of  healing,  who  decry  aus- 
cultation, percussion,  &c.,  wear  the  garment). 

lam  of  the  opinion  that  tubercles  are  present  in  the 
lungs  during  all  debilitated  states  of  the  body,  from 
whatever  cause  induced,  and  during  the  prevalence 
of  most  diseases,  and  that  they  are  gradually  re- 
absorbed during  convalescence  and  the  accessions  of 
robust  health.  M,  M.  Rogee  thinks  that  spontaneous 
cures  of  tubercle  have  occurred  in  one-half  of  all 
who  have  lived  till  forty.  Thus,  it  may  be  seen  that 
consumption  is  just  as  curable  as  any  other  disease, 
except,  of  course,  in  its  advanced  stages ;  and  even 
then  just  as  curable  as  any  other  case  which  has 
become  desperate  from  long  continuance,  neglect, 
and  improper  treatment. 

I  am  frequently  asked  for  a  more  explicit  answer 
than  the  above  constitutes  to  the  question  of  the  cu- 


CONSUMPTION   BE   CUKED  ?  85 

rability  of  certain  cases,     l^ow,  the  treatment  which 
I  adopt  is  either  curative  or  j9all{atwe  /  depending 
upon  the  symptoms,  pliysical  signs,  general  health, 
habits,  age,  fiimily,  constitution,  temperament,  &c., 
&c.,  of  each  case.     If  I  am  consulted  in  a  case  of 
consumption,  in  which  I  find  absence  of  hereditary 
taint,  absence  of  the  strumous  diathesis,  absence  of 
the  signs  of  cavities,  only  slight  emaciation,  calmness 
of  the  pulse,  but  slight  hectic,  no  atrophy,  or  puerile 
respiration,  the  digestive  organs  and  larynx  healthy, 
expectoration  free,  the  disease  to  have  supervened 
upon  bronchitis  or  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  and 
the  patient  in  easy  circumstances,  so  that  he  can  at- 
tend to  his  health,  and  the  disease  recent,  I  always 
prognosticate  favorably,  and  adopt  at  once  the  cu- 
rative treatment.     I  do  not  wish  the  reader  to  under- 
stand that  I  look  for  all  of  the  above  favorable  cir- 
cumstances to  be  combined  in  one  case,  to  justify  my 
hopes  and  exertions  to  cure.     They  are  all  of  great 
value ;  and,  by  weighing  well  the  favorable  and  the 
unfavorable  symptoms,  physical  signs  and  circumstan- 
ces, with  my  former  experience  in  similar  cases,  I 
am  able  to  determine  whether  I  can  put  my  patient 
upon  the  use   of  curative  means  with   reasonable 
hopes  of  success.     I  regret  to  say  that,  perhaps,  one 
of  the  most  difficult  circumstances  which  I  have  to 
contend  with,  in  treating  cases  of  consumption  and 
bronchitis,  is  the  want  of  sufficient  interest  on  the 
part  of  patients  to  induce  them  to  persevere  in  the 
use  of  remedies.     I  refer  to  curable  cases.     Alas ! 
the  unfortunate,  who  are  beyond  the  reach  of  reme- 
dies, and  doomed  irrevocably  to  the  couch  of  ever- 
lasting rest,  are  full  of  hope,  patient  attention,  and 
faith,  and  can  scarcely  be  made  to  believe  the  fate 
which  so  surely  awaits  them. 

Every   tubercle   has  imdoubtedly    a    tendency 
toward  health.     If,  therefore,  a  treatment  be  insti- 


86  HOW   CAN   PULMONARY 

tuted  at  an  early  period,  which,  will  prevent  a  further 
deposit  of  tubercles,  the  disease  is  at  once  arrested ; 
it  can  have  no  progress.  The  tubercles  previously 
deposited  will  become  absorbed,  or  replaced  by 
calcareous  matter,  (as  has  been  shown  by  dissec- 
tions,) and  a  perfect  cure,  and  perfect  health  must 
follow.  The  urgent  necessity  of  seeking  proper 
medical  aid  at  the  very  commencement  of  the  dis- 
ease, will  be  apparent  to  every  one.  People  are 
too  prone,  upon  the  first  appearance  of  symptoms 
of  consumption,  to  procrastinate,  or  indulge  in  the 
dangerous  delusion,  that  their  disease  is  not  pulmo- 
nary consumption. 

The  first  step  toward  an  invalid'' s  cure^  is  to 
ascertain  with  certainty  and  'precision  what  the 
disease  is. 

If  a  patient  has  diseased  lungs,  or  symptoms  of 
consumption,  or  fears  consumption,  he  should  im- 
mediately have  his  luugs  examined  by  means  of 
auscultation  assisted  by  percussion,  &c. ;  and  this 
should  be  done  by  a  physician  well  skilled  and 
practiced  in  these  sciences,  so  as  to  ascertain  posi- 
tively and  precisely,  whether  the  lungs  are  aifected, 
and  if  they  are  found  to  be  so,  to  ascertain  definite- 
ly what  the  disease  is,  and  exactly  how  far  it  has 
progressed.  He  should  also  give  his  physician  a 
faithful  history  of  his  case  and  a  complete  account 
of  his  symptoms.  These  advantages,  together  with 
a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  true  nature  or  pathology 
of  this  class  of  diseases,  will  enable  the  skillful  and 
experienced  practitioner,  to  institute  a  rational, 
scientific,  and  confidential  mode  of  treatment.  With- 
out these  indispensable  pre-requisites,  all  is  dark- 
ness, uncertainty,  and  confusion  ;  and  the  treatment 
in  all  cases,  productive  of  a  vast  deal  more  of  mis- 
chief and  injury  to  the  patient,  than  would  result 
from  permitting  the  disease  to  pursue  its  own  course, 


CONSUMPTION    BE   CLfRED?  87 

without  attempting  the  institution  of  any  curative 
means  whatever.  Utterly  vain,  then,  and  forever 
hopeless  must  be  the  practice  of  every  yjhysician  in 
chest  and  throat  diseases,  vv^ho  is  not  capacitated  to 
found  his  treatment  upon  correct  information  res- 
pecting his  patient's  malady ;  which  can  only  be 
obtained  with  certainty  through  the  medium  of 
auscultation,  percussion,  mensuration  and  pulsation. 
It  is  deeply  to  be  regretted,  that  in  this  country,  the 
opportunities  for  medical  students  to  obtain  a  know- 
ledge of  the  indispensable  sciences  of  auscultation 
and  percussion,  are  so  limited.  In  our  medical 
institutions  these  subjects  are  utterly  neglected ;  or 
merely  glanced  at  in  such  a  slight  and  desultory 
manner,  that  the  great  mass  of  graduates,  so  far  from 
being  proficient  and  accomplished  in  these  two 
sciences,  (which  require  more  time  and  study  for 
their  mastery,  than  music  and  astronomy,)  that  in- 
stances are  not  wanting,  of  their  being  unable  even 
to  give  the  definitions  of  the  tw^o  terms.  Few  phy- 
sicians attempt  the  study  of  sciences  which  they  did 
not  commence  upon  while  students  at  college ;  and 
hence  it  is,  that  not  one  doctor  in  ten,  or  perhaps  in 
ten  hundred,  can  bring  auscultation  and  percussion 
to  his  assistance  in  practice.  Invalids,  therefore, 
should  be  exceedingly  cautious  whom  they  trust ; 
and  on  no  account  ]3]ace  confidence  in  the  opinion 
and  statements  of  any  physician,  upon  these  subjects, 
unless  he  is  well  known  to  be  specially  qualified 
j)erfectly  to  examine  the  lungs  and  other  organs 
by  means  of  these  sciences.  Ko  physician  likes  to 
assert  or  confess  his  incompetency  upon  any  branch 
of  medical  science.  Is  it  strange,  then,  that  the 
ignorant  will  sometimes  attempt  to  hide  their  inca- 
pacity by  affecting  to  understand  and  practice  aus- 
cultation and  percussion  ?  If  the  mischief  arising 
from  such  deception  fell  upon  him  only  who  prac- 


88  HOW   CAH  PULMONAKT 

tices  it,  perhaps  there  would  not  be  so  much  cause 
for  regret ;  but,  may  not  the  health  and  perhaps  the 
life  of  the  victimised  invalid  be  thereby  criminally 
put  in  jeopardy  ? 

The  next  step  should  be,  to  examine  the  heart 
and  the  circulation,  the  stomach  and  rest  of  the 
alimentary  canal,  the  liver,  form  of  the  chest,  posi- 
tion in  sitting,  walking  and  sleeping ;  the  situation 
and  size  of  the  jDatient's  sleeping  apartment,  kind  of 
bed  he  slee|)s  uj)on,  his  age,  profession,  habits,  diet, 
peculiarity  of  constitution  ;  to  ascertain  whether  he 
has  latent  scrofula,  any  form  of  skin  disease,  or  any 
malady  whatever.  The  patient's  complexion,  the 
color  of  his  hair,  eyes,  &c.,  (fee,  must  also  be  taken 
into  consideration.  The  examination  ended,  and  the 
diagnosis  made,  the  physician  has  a  basis  upon 
which  to  commence  his  treatment,  which  will  not 
lead  him  into  error.  Hundreds  of  patients  die 
annually  of  bronchitis,  inflammation  of  the  lungs, 
heart  diseases,  &c.,  &c.,  whose  diseases  are  pro- 
nounced to  be  consumption.  This  is  the  result  of 
ignorance,  on  the  part  of  their  medical  advisers,  of 
auscultation  and  percussion. 

Of  course  no  precise  rules  can  be  laid  down  for 
domestic  practice  in  cases  of  consumption,  as  no  two 
cases  agree  exactly  in  their  pathology,  and  no  two 
patients  have  the  same  peculiarities  of  constitution, 
and  no  two  ever  contracted  disease  from  precisely 
the  same  causes.  Every  direction  which  is  given  in 
the  third  part  of  this  work  on  the  |)revention  of  con- 
sumption, is  applicable  in  its  treatment,  under  cer- 
tain circumstances.  The  design  of  the  treatment  is, 
to  prevent  the  further  dej)Osit  of  tubercles,  and  to 
hasten  the  absorption  of  those  already  deposited. 
The  consumptive  should  change  his  employment; 
the  greatest  benefit  results  from  this  course.  If  pos- 
sible, he  should  change  his  residence  for  a  while, 


CONSUMPTION    BE   CUEED  ?  89 

even  though  he  does  not  remove  further  than  from 
one  to  six  miles.  He  must  give  up  all  anxiety  re- 
specting his  occupation,  or  any  matter  which  troubles 
his  mind.  He  should  have  a  cheerful  home,  lively 
society,  recreation,  and  pleasant  employment ;  and 
should  especially  avoid  all  undue  excitement. 

The  patient  must  not  trust  to  domestic  remedies  ; 
nor  rely  for  one  moment  upon  the  counsels  which 
some  friendly  non-medical  adviser  may  volunteer  to 
give,  for  how  can  it  be  expected  that  such  a  person 
can  perfectly  understand  the  case,  and  adapt  the 
proper  remedies  ?  Neither  should  he  trust  himself 
in  the  hands  of  empirics,  nor  in  the  hands  of  ignorant 
doctors;  but  apply  at  once  to  some  physician  in 
whom  he  can  place  implicit  confidence,  on  account 
of  his  known  intelligence  upon  the  class  of  diseases 
upon  which  we  are  treating,  and  upon  his  general 
character  as  a  scientific  and  skillful  physician. 

It  requires  the  exercise  of  a  great  deal  of  intellect 
on  the  part  of  the  patient,  and  a  perfect  cooperation 
with  his  physician,  to  effect  a  cure  of  even  incipient 
consumption.  The  patient  should,  as  far  as  possible, 
resign  all  exciting  or  fatiguing  business,  and  devote 
every  thought  and  all  his  energy  to  the  attainment 
of  the  one  great  end.  I  would  say  to  all  consump- 
tive patients,  never  remain  in  the  house  in  the  day 
time  when  the  weather  is  pleasant  and  you  are  able 
to  go  out ;  spend  as  much  time  as  possible  in  the 
open  air,  and  take  all  the  active  exercise  which  your 
strength  will  permit. 

The  author  has  found  it  impossible  to  treat  con- 
sumption successfully,  without  the  employment  of 
proper  mechanical  remedies  ;  these  must,  of  course, 
be  precisely  adapted  to  each  individual  case.  Among 
those  which  he  employs,  are  visceral  or  abdominal 
supporters,  breathing  or  atmospheric  inhaling  tubes, 
and  shoulder  braces.  In  almost  every  case  of  con- 
5^ 


00  HOW   CAN   PULMONAET 

sumption,  there  are  concomitant  symptoms  which 
can  be  relieved  in  no  other  way.  The  author  found 
these  instruments  extensively  employed  in  France, 
Belgium,  Holland,  and  other  continental  countries, 
and  was  the  daily  witness  of  their  beneficial  influence. 
It  will  be  well  to  repeat,  that  all  medicines  and  all 
curative  means  should  be  commenced  uj)on,  and  con- 
tinued, under  the  immediate  direction  and  supervi- 
sion of  the  regular  medical  practitioner  ;  as  no  list  of 
remedies  could  be  enumerated — however  clear  the 
directions  might  be  which  should  accompany  them 
— from  which  a  non-medical  person  could  possibly 
make  selections,  which  would  positively  answer  the 
indications,  and  be  in  every  way  applicable  to  the 
patient's  case  ;  and,  for  these  very  obvious  reasons,  I 
refrain  from  giving  formulae  for  medicines;  confi- 
dent in  the  opinion,  that  vast  and  irreparable  injury 
has  accrued  to  countless  numbers  of  invalids,  who 
from  various  reasons  have  attempted  to  become  their 
own  doctors.  The  invalid  must  always  bear  in  mind, 
that  medicines  which  will  suit  the  constitution  and 
cure  one  person,  will  not  answer  in  all  cases,  bat  that 
different  constitutions  require  different  medical  treat- 
ment. The  different  stages  of  the  same  disease  also 
require  diversified  medication.  Yery  little  medicine 
is  absolutely  requisite,  but  that  which  is  given,  must 
be  of  the  right  kind,  and  most  perfectly  adapted,  not 
only  to  tlie  precise  disease,  but  to  the  precise  stage 
of  the  disease.  It  is  aj^palling  to  reflect  upon  the 
vast  numbers  of  consumptives  who  have  been  dosed 
to  their  graves,  by  ignorant  and  careless  practition- 
ers. The  day  is  fast  a23proaching,  when  physicians 
will  devote  themselves  entirely  to  one  class  of  dis- 
eases, and  labor  to  become  proficient  each  in  his  own 
particular  branch,  rather  than,  as  at  the  present  day, 
attempt  the  mastery  of  a  field  which  is  sufficiently 
ample  to  employ  the  study  and  genius  of  at  least  ten 
giant  minds. 


CONSUMPTION   BE   CUEED?  91 

Summary  of  the  course  which  I  pursue  in  cases 
OF  Consumption. — If,  upon  a  strict  examination  of 
the  chest,  by  the  means  ah-eady  stated,  I  find  that 
my  patient  has  true  tubercular  consumption,  and 
is  beyond  the  power  of  medical  science  —  as  all 
must  die  sometime, — I  hold  it  to  be  a  sacred  duty 
— unless  I  am  desired  to  refrain  from  telling  the 
patient  his  situation  —  immediately  to  state  the 
case  as  I  find  it.  But  if,  in  my  judgment,  the 
case  is  curable,  I  think  it  is  the  patient's  privilege  to 
hope  that  God  will  bless  the  means  employed  and 
restore  him,  as  others  have  been  restored.  I  en- 
courage my  patient ;  if  his  employment  is  sedentary, 
I  advise  a  change  ;  I  advise  all  consumptives,  never 
to  be  found  in  the  house  when  the  weather  and  their 
strength  will  permit  them  to  be  out ;  I  regulate  the 
diet,  adapting  it  to  each  case.  The  sup23orter,  shoul- 
der brace,  and  tube,  I  prescribe  to  all,  where  no  com- 
plications of  disease  forbid  their  employment.  I 
adapt  medicines  to  each  case,  some  to  be  taken  by 
the  mouth,  others  to  be  breathed  in  directly  upon 
the  lungs,  and  others  to  be  absorbed  into  the  system 
from  medical  baths.  I  23rescribe  suitable  counter 
irritation,  poultices,  &c.,  upon  the  chest,  and  a  great 
deal  of  friction  to  the  whole  person,  I  interdict  all 
morbid  excitement.  I  find  out  what  causes  have 
conspired  to  throw  my  patient  into  consumption  ;  I 
stop  those  influences  and  reverse  the  picture,  leading 
the  sick  man  back,  by  the  assistance  of  proper  med- 
icines, through  the  natural  channels  of  hygiene,  to 
that  vigorous  and  healthful  action  of  the  organs  of 
vitality,  which  alone  can  throw  off  disease. 

Pulmonary  Inhalation. — This  mode  of  admin- 
istering medicines  consists  simply  of  the  inhala- 
tion or  breathing  of  remedies  either  in  the  form  of 
finely  pulverized  powders,  which  are  diluted  with 
inert  substances  •  or   of  vapors  or  gases  variously 


92  HOW   CAN   PULMONAEY 

modified,  and  wliich  pass  directly  into  the  air  pas- 
sages and  lungs.      It  seems  to  me  that  this  mode  of 
applying  remedies  which  are  intended  to  act  direct- 
ly  upon   diseases   of  the   lining  membrane  of  the 
throat,  bronchial  tubes   and  lungs,  must  commend 
itself  to    the   philosophic  judgment  and   favor  of 
every  person  with  whose  special  favorite  object  or 
interest  it  does  not  happen  to  conflict.      It  forms  at 
once  the  most  powerful  and  effective  means  at  our 
command  for  dissipating  tubercle,  allaying  inflamma- 
tions, and  of  holding  diseases  of  the  lungs  and  throat 
in  check,  until  by  constitutional  remedies  we  can 
correct  the   consumptive  state  of  the  constitution. 
It  is  one  of  the  happiest  hits  in  modern  therapeutics ; 
and  I  am   fully  convinced  from  my  success  in  this 
mode  of  medication,  that  it  must  soon  be  universal- 
ly adopted,  and  that  it  forms — in  connection  with 
means  already  noticed — the  only  rational  and  effec- 
tive treatment  of  consumption.   I  employ  in  this  way 
various  medicinal  substances  which  I  adapt   with 
scrupulous  precision  to  individual  cases.      I  use  the 
sulphate  of  zinc,  one  grain  to  thirty   of  the  lyco- 
podium   clavatum.     The   sulphate  of  copper,   one 
grain  to  tliirty  of  the   lycoj)odium  clavatum.      The 
sub-nitrate  of  bismuth,  pure,  the  nitrate  of  silver, 
half  a  grain  to  thirty  of  sugar,  and  the  acetate  of 
lead,    one  grain  to   six  of   sugar.      I  also  employ 
iodine   in   various  forms;   tar,     chlorine,    oxygen, 
prussic  acid,  camphor,  hydro-sulphate  of  ammonia, 
ether,  conium,  &c.,  &c.     The  author  is  desirous  of 
instructing  the  unfortunate  invalid  in  as  much  as  he 
can  practice  with  safety,  himself,  which  applies  to 
the  laws  of  health  discussed  under  the  third  question 
in  this  work.     But   he   has   already  given  it  as  his 
opinion,  that  patients  who  require  medicines,  should, 
in  all  cases,  avail  themselves  of  tlie  adapting  know- 
ledge and  judgment  of  the  regular   and  scientific 


CONSUMPTION   BE   CURED?  93 

physician  ;  as  the  advantages  of  doctering  one'self 
are  always  uncertain,  doubtful ;  to  say  nothing  of 
the  danger- oi  dabbling  in  what  one  does  not  under- 
stand. Every  person  can  get  along  best  at  the  busi- 
ness he  has  been  brought  up  to,  and  it  is  not  econo- 
my to  attempt  to  practice  those  arts  which  it  requires 
so  many  years  to  become  master  of.  I  understand 
the  dread  which  people  have  of  exorbitant  charges, 
and  also  the  fear  of  deception  and  knavery,  but 
these  are  with  certainty  avoided,  by  placing  confi- 
dence only  in  regular  and  respectable  physicians. 
I  have  given  considerable  attention  to  the  construc- 
tion of  suitable  inhalers,  both  for  the  inhalation  of 
dry  substances  and  vapors.  I  esteem  those  which  I 
furnish  to  my  patients  to  be  perfect  in  their  way. 

I  subjoin  a  few  formulae  and  directions  for  gene- 
rating chlorine,  &c.,  &c. 

CONVENIENT  MODES  OF  GENERATING  CHLORINE. 

Take  Pulv.  Peroxide  of  Manganese  .     .     3iss. 
"         Chloride  of  Sodium     .     .     .     3ij. 
"        Acid  Sulph 3vi. 

Mix  the  peroxide  of  manganese  and  chloride  of  sodium  in  a 
glass  dish,  pour  the  sulphuric  acid  upon  the  mixture,  and  the 
chlorine  gas  will  immediately  begin  to  generate.  Chlorine  gas 
requires  to  be  very  much  diluted  with  atmospheric  air  to  render 
it  eligible  for  inhalation ;  a  convenient  apartment  must  therefore 
be  selected,  the  windows  raised,  and  the  vessel  from  which  the 
gas  is  evolved,  placed  upon  the  hearth  or  upon  the  floor  in  the 
centre  of  the  room.  The  apartment  should  be  as  nearly  empty 
as  is  convenient,  as  the  gas  would  be  likely  to  corrode  guilded 
furniture,  and  to  tarnish  tapestry.  As  soon  as  the  apartment  is 
thus  prepared,  the  patient  may  enter  and  walk  the  floor  for  five  or 
six  minutes.  This  gas  should  not  be  inhaled  oftener  than  two 
or  three  times  a  week.  The  same  general  directions  are  applica- 
ble in  the  inhalation  of  chlorine,  whatever  may  be  the  mode  em- 
ployed to  generate  it. 

Or  take  Pulv.  Peroxide  of  Manganese,    .     .     3ij. 
"      Commercial  Muriatic  Acid,       ...     31. 


94  HOW   CAK   PULMONARY 

Put  the  peroxide  of  manganese  into  an  earthen  dish  and  set 
the  dish  into  boiling  water  so  that  it  will  float,  then  pour  the 
muriatic  acid  upon  the  manganese ;  and  in  a  few  moments  the 
gas  will  commence  generating.  The  peroxide  of  manganese  de- 
composes the  muriatic  acid — which  is  a  solution  of  chloride  of 
hydrogen  gas  in  water — the  hydrogen  of  the  muriatic  acid  com- 
bines with  the  oxygen  of  the  peroxyde  of  manganese  to  form  the 
deutochloride  of  manganese,  which  by  the  moderate  heat  is  com- 
pletely resolved  into  protochloride  and  free  chlorine. 

OR  TO  EVOLVE    THE  GAS  SLOWLY   BJJT  CONSTANTLY, 

Take  Chloride  of  Lime  jiv. 
Place  it  in  an  earthen  vessel,  and  pour  upon  it  half  a  pint  of 
water,  stir  the  mixture  so  that  the  chloride  of  lime  may  be  diffus- 
ed through  the  water  ;  then  suspend  a  viol  of  sulphuric  acid 
with  a  small  aperture  cut  in  the  cork  so  as  to  allow  the  acid  to 
escape  drop  by  drop  directly  upon  the  chloride  of  lime  and  water. 
Tlie  acid  takes  the  lime  forming  the  sulphate  of  lime — gypsum— 
plasiei'  of  paris — and  the  chlorine  is  set  free.  This  mode  I  con- 
sider the  best,  and  safest. 

Tar  Inhalation. — Place  an  earthenware  vessel  containing 
two  or  three  ounces  of  tar,  and  one  dram  of  the  subcarbonate  of 
potass  over  a  spirit  lamp  in  a  convenient  room ;  as  soon  as  the 
tar  boils  the  fumes  will  mix  with  the  air  of  the  room,  which  may 
be  inhaled  for  about  twenty  minutes. 

Iodine  Inhalation. — 

Take  Iodine  and  Iodide  of  Potassium,  of  each  6  grains. 
"     Distilled  Water  heated  to  125°  F.  5|  ounces. 
"     Alcohol  2  drams. 

Mix. 
Take  of  this  solution  from  one  to  six  drams ;  (commence 
with  one)  and  add  to  it  30  or  40  drops  of  the  saturated  tincture 
of  conium  ;  place  the  whole  in  the  inhaler  and  inhale  for  20,  30 
or  40  minuter.  The  inhaler  should  be  immersed  in  water  of  the 
temperature  of  130°  F.  during  the  inhalation;  otherwise  the 
fumes  of  the  iodme  and  conium  would  not  be  thrown  off  in  suf- 
ficient quantities,  as  the  temperature  of  the  liquid  in  the  inhaler 
would  sink  below  that  required  to  generate  them.  In  confirmed 
consumption,  it  is  best  to  begin  with  half  a  dram  of  the  solution 
of  iodine,  and  10  drops  of  the  tincture  of  conium,  and  repeat 
the  inhalation  three  times  daily.  Each  case  demands  the  adapt- 
ing judgment  of  the  medical  practitioner. 


CONSUMPTION   BE   CURED?  95 


Treatment  of  Symptoms. — ^The  author  does  not 
doctor  the  symptoms  of  consumption  much  ;  still,  it 
is  sometimes  necessary,  to  check  profuse  perspiration 
and  diarrhea,  to  allay  cough,  relieve  pain,  and  attend 
to  other  distressing  symptoms.  He  will,  therefore, 
subjoin  a  few  remarks  upon  these  topics. 

Cough. — ^This  is  usually  the  first,  most  common, 
and  an  exceedingly  distressing  symptom.  It  would 
be  improper  to  check  it  entirely,  it  being  an  efibrt 
of  nature  to  eject  foreign  matter  from  the  lungs  and 
bronchise  ;  but  it  sometimes  prevails  when  nothing 
is  expectorated,  and  only  fatigues  and  distresses  the 
patient.  It  also  causes  irritation  in  the  throat,  soreness 
in  the  chest,  and  prevents  sleep,  and  may  be  relieved 
by  suitable  cough  mixtures.  I  employ  mixtures  of 
wild  cherry,  salts  of  morphise,  squills,  mucilage,  and 
demulcents. 

Expectoration. — When  it  proceeds  from  soften- 
ing tubercle,  or  from  the  secretion  of  pus,  it  should 
not  be  checked ;  but  when  it  proceeds  from  a  highly 
vascular  and  irritated  mucous  membrane,  it  may  be 
regulated  by  ammoniacum. 

Hemorrhage. — When  slight,  needs  no  attention ; 
it  often  relieves  congestion ;  but,  if  it  is  alarming, 
the  patient  can  take  salt  into  the  mouth  and  swallow 
it  as  fast  as  possible,  not  waiting  for  it  to  dissolve ; 
turpentine,  acetate  of  lead,  kino  and  tannin,  com- 
bined w^ith  a  small  portion  of  ipecac,  are  also  useful 
in  hemorrhage. 

Pain  in  the  Chest. — Slight  pains  are  soon  re- 
lieved by  the  application  of  a  suitable  counter-irritant 
liniment ;  nothing  more  is  requisite  or  proper.  But 
if  the  pain  is  caused  by  tubercle,  or  perforation  of 
the  pleura,  it  is  proper  to  apply  cups,  friction,  or 
dry  cups. 

Night  Sweats. — They  are  very  distressing  and 


96  HOW   CAN   PULMONARY 

exhausting,  and  require  special  attention.  The  in- 
dications are,  to  stimulate  the  skin,  increase  the  tone 
of  the  muscles,  and  impart  vigor  to  the  system. 
The  former  indication  is  fulfilled  by  friction  over  the 
whole  person,  sponging  with  allum  and  warm  brandy, 
vinegar,  alcohol,  whisky,  &c.,  and  the  hot  bath; 
rendered  exciting  by  the  addition  of  mustard,  alco- 
hol, or  salt.  The  latter^  by  the  use  of  tonics  ;  the 
aromatic  sulphuric  acid,  ten  drops  to  a  wine-glass 
of  water,  three  or  four  times  daily,  is,  perhaps,  the 
best  internal  remedy  in  such  cases.  Cold  bathing 
and  friction  are  very  valuable  auxiliaries.  The  in- 
ternal administration  of  astringents  has  been  recom- 
mended, but  I  do  not  approve  the  practice. 

Frequent  Pulse. — In  attempting  to  throw  oif  the 
disease,  nature  quickens  the  action  of  her  forces ;  it 
may,  therefore,  be  questioned,  whether  it  is  good 
practice  to  diminish  the  increased  action  of  the 
heart,  whereby  nature  is  doing  her  utmost  to  hasten 
the  circulation  of  the  blood  through  the  lungs,  to  get 
it  purified,  and  charged  with  vitality,  and  then  to 
convey  it  through  the  morbid  tissues  of  the  body.  If 
she  should  get  immoderate  and  over-excited  in  her 
endeavors,  she  might  cause  an  injurious  reaction, 
and  must  then  be  controlled.  For  this  purpose,  wild 
cherry  bark,  digitalis,  and  black  snake  root,  are  the 
best  adapted. 

Diarrhea. — This  is  an  exceedingly  important 
symptom,  but  one  which  does  not  usually  occur  until 
the  disease  is  far  advanced.  A  milk  diet,  with  a 
little  lime  water  added,  when  the  patient's  strength 
will  permit  it,  should  be  instituted.  JSTitrate  of  sil- 
ver, acetate  of  lead  and  opium,  with  a  small  portion 
of  ipecacuanha,  are  the  best  medicines  that  can  be 
employed. 

Debility. — The  best  mode  of  relieving  all  of  the 
symptoms  of  consumption  is,  to  institute  that  course 


CONSUMPTION   BE   CrEED  ?  97 

of  treatment  which  will  eradicate  the  disease ;  re- 
move the  cause,  and  its  effects  will  disappear,  as  a 
consequence.  All  of  the  laws  of  hygiene,  including 
dietetics,  are  applicable  to  the  treatment  of  debility. 
Suitable  mineral  and  vegetable  tonics  can  be  em- 
ployed as  coadjutants. 

There  are  other  symptoms  which  the  author  does 
not  deem  it  advisable  to  prescribe  for  in  this  place ; 
they  are  cessation  of  menstruation,  delirium,  nervous- 
ness, falling  of  the  hair,  emaciation^  difficulty  of 
breathing,  hectic,  &c.j  &c. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  THROAT, 

OR 

AIE   PASSAGES,    &c. 


Enlarged  Toksils. — l^j  clironic  irritation  or  in- 
flammation, frequent  colds  and  acute  inflammations, 
the  tonsils — especially  in  scrofulous  children  and 
adults — become  hypertroj^hied,  (thickened  or  enlarg- 
ed)— and  if  this  state  of  things  is  permitted  to  go 
on  for  some  time,  the  voice  becomes  husky  or  hoarse, 
the  patient  will  experience  great  diiliculty  in  swal- 
lowing, and  when  he  takes  cold  will  croak  and 
wheeze  excessively. 

Treatment. — Scarrifications,  and  applications  of 
strong  astringent  solutions,  applications  of  the  ni- 
trate of  silver  in  substance  or  in  solution  ;  tincture 
of  iodine,  &c.  All  of  these  measures  failing,  the 
ligature  or  knife  must  be  resorted  to,  and  the  en- 
larged tonsils  removed.  Acute  inflammations  of  the 
tonsils  frequently  result  in  supj^uration  ;  the  disease 
is  then  called  quinsy. 

Elongated  Uvula. — ^The  uvula,  by  many  called 
the  palate,  is  a  small  rounded  process,  hanging  from 
the  middle  of  the  soft  palate.  From  frequent  in- 
flammations caused  mostly  by  colds,  there  is  often  a 
fibrinous  infiltration  into  the  cellular  tissue  of  this 
organ,  by  which  it  is  gradually  elongated,  causing, 


DISEASES   OF   THE   THEOAT.  99 

in  many  instances,  nearly  all  of  the  symptoms — ex- 
cept the  physical — of  consumption  ;  as  cough,  quick 
pulse,  hectic,  purulent  and  bloody  expectoration, 
and  emaciation.  In  some  cases  it  causes  frequent 
nausea,  vomiting,  and  true  jjulmonary  consumption. 

Treatment. — Astringent  and  stimulating  gargles 
and  caustic  applications,  with  constitutional  reme- 
dies, will  in  slight  and  recent  cases  often  restore  the 
organ  to  its  proper  dimensions ;  but  if  the  case  is  of 
longstanding,  the  uvula  becomes  permanently  thick- 
ened and  elongated,  and  it  is  then  beyond  the  con- 
trol of  these  remedies,  and  must  be  excised — cut  off. 

This  is  an  extremely  simple  operation,  and  en- 
tirely unattended  with  danger,  subsequent  inconve- 
nience or  injury  to  the  voice,  and  should  by  no 
means  be  delayed,  on  account  of  the  mischievous 
and  dangerous  consequences  which  are  sure  to  fol- 
low, if  the  enlarged  and  indurated  organ  is  suffered 
to  remain. 

Laryngitis . — CynancJie  Laryngea. — ^The^  larynx 
— as  it  is  defined  in  the  glossary — is  the  top  of  the 
windpipe,  including  the  organs  of  voice.  The  la- 
rynx is  also  called  the  vocal  box;  it  is  endowed 
with  the  most  exquisite  sensibility,  and  with  a  very 
complicated  and  curious  muscular  aj^paratus,  which 
is  set  in  motion  in  speaking  and  singing.  Laryngi- 
tis consists  of  an  inflammation  of  the  parts  compos- 
ing that  organ,  especially  of  the  mucous  covering  of 
the  laryngeal  cartilages  and  epigiotis.  This  inflam- 
mation frequently  extends  to  the  posterior  fauces, 
the  velum  palati,  and  tonsils,  and  may  be  either 
acute  or  chronic.  If  it  is  acute,  it  is  termed  acute 
laryngitis  ;  if  chronic,  chronic  laryngitis. 

Acute  Laryngitis. — Syrroptoms.  The  patient  com- 
p>lains  of  sore  throat,  he  is  restless  and  anxious,  the 
velum,  uvula,  and  fauces  generally,  are  quite  red, 
there  is  a  difficulty  of  deglutition — swallowing — diffi- 


100  DISEASES   OF  THE  THEOAT. 

culty  of  breathing,  hoarseness,  loss  of  voice,  the 
face  is  flushed,  the  skin  hot  and  dry,  and  the  pulse 
hard.  If  relief  is  not  obtained  the  patient  soon  be- 
comes strangled  and  dies. 

Treatment.—EsiYlj  bleeding ;  counter-irritation 
on  the  sternum,  purging,  cupping  the  back  of  the 
neck,  and  in  the  advanced  stages  a  surgical  opera- 
tion are  the  means  which  were  formerly,  and  are  still 
to  a  great  extent  relied  upon  in  this  terrible  disease. 

Chronio  Laryngitis. — The  larynx  is  very  liable 
to  chronic  inflammation,  ulceration,  thickening  of 
the  membrane,  and  death  of  its  cartilages.  Con- 
sumptive patients  are  peculiarly  liable  to  these  forms 
of  disease. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  chronic  laryngitis 
are,  hoarseness,  loss  of  voice,  cough,  and  many  of 
the  melancholy  symptoms  of  consumption. 

Treatment. — ^To^Dical  applications  of  the  solution 
of  nitrate  of  silver  and  iodine,  gargles,  nitrate  of  sil- 
ver in  powder,  mixed  with  pulverized  sugar,  counter- 
irritants,  regulation  of  the  stomach  and  liver,  and  a 
long  list  of  simple  remedies  addressed  to  the  general 
health,  are  among  the  most  valuable  means  at  our 
command  in  this  inveterate  disease.  All  of  the 
preventive  means  recommended  in  the  third  part  of 
this  work  are  also  indisiDcnsable  to  its  successful 
treatment. 

Tkachitis.  —  Croiqy.  —  Cynanche  Trachealis.  — 
The  trachea  or  windpipe  is  the  canal  through  which 
the  air  moves  in  its  passage  to  and  from  the  lungs. 
It  is  compossd  of  rings  of  fibro-cartihige,  fibrous 
membrane,  mucous  membrane,  glands,  and  muscu- 
lar fibres.  Its  upper  part  is  called  the  larynx ;  from 
the  larynx  it  extends  down  as  far  as  the  fourth  or 
fifth  vertebrae  of  the  back,  where  it  divides  into  two 
branches,  which  are  the  right  and  left  bronchial  tubes. 
Inflammations  of  the  mucous  lining  of  this  tube  are 


DISEASES    OF   THE   THROAT.  101 

termed  trachitis^  croup^  cynancTie^  trachecdis.  The 
croup  of  children  usually  attacks  them  between  the 
third  and  thirteenth  year ;  one  attack  greatly  en- 
hances the  liability  of  its  recurrence.  It  commences 
with  cough,  sneezing,  hoarseness,  and  other  symptoms 
of  a  cold.  It  is  often  attended  with  spasms  of  the  mus- 
cles of  the  trachea  and  larynx,  and  the  formation  of 
a  pseudo  or  false  membrane.  It  is  a  very  dangerous 
disease,  and  is  frequently  fatal  in  a  very  short  space 
of  time.  The  treatment  should  be  prompt,  decisive, 
and  energetic.  The  remedy  relied  upon  by  the  best 
authorities  of  the  present  day,  is  large  and  repeated 
doses  of  calomel,  of  which  as  much  as  five  or  six 
grains  are  given  at  once  to  quite  young  children, 
and  repeated  every  two  or  three  hours,  until  there 
is  a  discharge  of  bilious  matter,  the  criterion  of  its 
having  taken  effect ;  emetics,  bleeding,  blisters,  and 
rubefacients  are  also  employed  with  decided  advan- 
tage. If  these  means  fail,  and  suffocation  follows, 
an  operation  termed  tracheotomy  is  necessary, 
Washington  died  of  cynanche  trachealis. 

The  CJironio  Form. — The  trachea  is  frequently 
the  seat  of  chronic  inflammation,  which  may  have 
originated  in  the  bronchial  tubes,  and  thence  extend 
upwards  to  that  organ ;  or  in  the  larynx,  and  extend- 
ed downwards  ;  or  it  may  originate  in  the  trachea 
itself.  The  trachea  is  more  or  less  involved  in  chronic 
inflammations  of  the  bronchial  tubes  and  larynx. 

This  form  of  the  disease  requires  pretty  much  the 
same  treatment  as  chronic  bronchitis. 

Clergyman's  Sore  Throat. — ^This  is  thought,  by 
many  of  the  profession,  to  be  a  disease  of  recent  ori- 
gin, and  peculiar  to  the  clergy ;  but  its  attacks  are 
entirely  indiscriminate.  Much  has  been  written  to 
establish  its  identity,  and  to  prove  it  to  be  a  disease 
of  the  glandular  follicles  of  the  mucous  membrane, 
rather  than  of  the  membrane  itself;  in  short,  to  es- 


102  DISEASES    OF   THE   THKOAT. 

tablisb.  for  it  a  separate  name — follicular  laryngitis. 
Its  seat  is  in  the  back  part  of  tlie  mouth  and  larynx  ; 
it  may  consist  of  simple  inflammation  or  ulceration, 
or  of  tubercular  deposition.  It  seldom  exists  alone, 
but  is  consecutive  to  laryngitis,  bronchitis,  &c.  The 
disease  is  characterized  by  absence  of  cough,  hoarse- 
ness, weakness  of  the  voice,  v^eariness  in  the  throat, 
and  an  increased  secretion  of  mucus. 

The  nitrate  of  silver,  directly  applied,  has  been 
represented  to  be  a  specific  in  this  disease ;  but  ex- 
perience has  shovrn  that  it  is  not  so  ;  it  is  a  palliative, 
and,  in  moderation,  a  useful  a^Dplication.  But,  to  esta- 
blish a  lasting  cure,  it  is  necessary  to  correct  those 
vices  of  the  constitution  and  habits  of  life  which 
brought  on  the  difficulty.  They  are  the  same  which 
bring  on  consumption,  and,  therefore,  do  not  require 
to  be  repeated  here.  Clergymen  are  very  sedentary, 
often  dyspeptic  and  costive,  weak,  delicate,  and  ner- 
vous, subjected  to  the  inhalation  of  much  impure  air, 
to  great  anxiety  and  excitement,  and  to  laborious 
mental  and  attentive  duties,  quite  enough  to  render 
them  liable  to  a  host  of  maladies,  and  especially  to 
throat  diseases.  The  treatment  of  this  disease  is 
plain,  straightforward  and  easy,  and  although  it 
baffles  the  skill  of  those  who  attempt  to  drug  it  to 
death,  still  it  is  easily  and  perfectly  cured  by  proper 
treatment.  Many  suffer  with  it  for  years,  take  me- 
dicine enough  to  supply  an  army  during  a  campaign, 
and  grow  worse  all  the  time.  It  has  been  my  for- 
tune to  treat  a  vast  man}^  cases,  and  I  can  say  with 
confidence,  that  I  do  not  know  a  more  curable  or 
manageable  disease. 

Catahrji.—A  €07)1771071  Cold. — Catarrh  is  not  pro- 
perly a  disease,  but  the  term  is  used  to  designate  an 
increased  flow  of  mucus,  caused  by  a  slightly  in- 
creased vascularity  and  afflux  of  fluids  to  a  mucus 
membrane.     It  is   commonly  the  result  of  a  cold, 


BEONCHITIS.  103 

broiaglit  on  by  sudden  atmospheric  changes  or  ex- 
posure. Catarrh  always  accompanies  slight  inflam- 
mations of  the  mncous  linings  of  the  air  passages, 
nostrils,  posterior  nares,  or  any  part  of  the  passage 
from  the  nose  to  the  mouth,  and  is  present  in 
measles,  fevers,  small-pox,  worms,  and  dentition. 
"When  confined  to  the  head  or  nostrils,  it  is  termed 
coryza.  If  confined  to  the  larynx,  it  constitutes 
laryngitis  ;  if  to  the  trachea,  trachitis  ;  to  the  bron- 
chial tubes,  bronchitis  ;  to  the  intestines,  diarrhea, 
&c.  'No  question  is  more  frequently  asked  in  w^inter 
than,  "  "What  will  cure  a  cold  ?"  The  answer  is — • 
always  take  it  in  time,  fast  upon  dry  bread,  rice,  and 
black  tea,  for  one  day  ;  use  gentle  purgations  ;  take 
a  pill  of  opium  at  night,  and  a  sudorific — something 
to  excite  a  perspiration — a  copious  draught  of  hot 
chamomile  or  horehound  tea,  is  quite  an  appropriate 
one.  Sometimes  colds  are  epidemic  ;  they  are  then 
called  influenza.  When  catarrh  becomes  chronic, 
the  above  treatment  will  not  sufiice.  Topical  appli- 
cations of  the  nitrate  of  silver,  and,  in  many  cases, 
other  and  varied  direct  applications  are  necessary, 
in  connection  with  alterative  and  other  constitutional 
remedies.  Robust  health,  attainable  by  temperance, 
long  continued  exercise  in  the  open  air,  bathing,  and 
attention  to  other  laws  already  spoken  of,  will  most 
effectually  protect  the  system  against  colds. 

Bronchitis. — The  author  considers  this  term  ap- 
plicable to  every  case  of  inflammation  of  the  mucous 
membrane  lining  the  bronchial  tubes,  without  referen- 
ce to  grade  or  locality,  notwithstanding  the  restriction 
which  some  authors  place  upon  it,  making  it  appli- 
cable to  the  higher  grades  of  inflammation  only.  A 
reference  to  the  anatomical  plate  accompanying  the 
article  on  anatomy  and  physiology,  will  enable  the 
general  reader  to  distinguish  the  precise  location  of 
bronchitis.     The  disease  is  often  complicated  with 


104:  BRONCHITIS. 

laryngitis,  trachitis,  pulmonary  tubercle,  pleurisy, 
congestion  and  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  pulmo- 
nary cancer,  or  morbid  dilatation  of  the  tube  itself. 
Great  care  is  necessary  on  the  part  of  the  practi- 
tioner to  enable  him  to  distinguish  between  dilatation 
of  the  bronchige  and  a  vomica — cavity  in  the  lung. 

Causes. — Cold  is  without  doubt  the  most  frequent 
cause  of  bronchitis,  particularly  when  applied  to 
some  one  part  of  the  body,  as  the  feet,  or  back  of 
the  neck ;  inhalation  of  irritating  pow^lers,  heated 
air,  acrid  gases  or  vapors,  epidemic  influence,  &c. 
It  sometimes  attends  hooping-cough,  asthma,  measles, 
typhoid  fever,  and  scarlet  fever. 

Syinjytoms. — It  usually  commences  with  symp- 
toms of  a  common  cold,  either  in  the  nostrils  or  in 
the  throat,  hoarseness,  cough,  expectoration,  slight 
soreness  in  the  chest,  sore  throat,  quick  pulse,  head- 
ache, furred  tongue,  and  other  symptoms  of  fever  ; 
and  as  the  disease  proceeds,  expectoration  of  a 
transparent  ropy  mucus,  mixed  sometimes  with 
blood  ;  the  expectoration  subsequently  becomes 
opaque  and  white,  and  Anally  yellow  or  greenish. 

Treatment. — In  the  acute  form,  bleeding,  saline 
cathartics,  antimonials,  counter-irritation,  vegetable 
orfarinaceous  diet,  and  demulcent  drinks,  as  infusion 
of  slippery  elm,  solution  of  gum  arable,  and  flaxseed 
tea. 

In  the  chronic  form,  great  patience,  perseverance, 
and  attention,  are  requisite  to  effect  a  cure,  as  the 
disease  is  sometimes  inveterate,  and  endures  for 
years,  defying  treatment.  J.  H.,  Esq.,  having  suffer- 
ed for  five  years  with  chronic  bronchitis,  and  having 
during  that  time  been  under  the  care  of  several 
eminent  physicians,  and  tried  many  modes  of  treat- 
ment, is  now  cured  ;  snatched,  under  Providence, 
from  despair  and  the  grave.  In  giving  the  treat- 
ment for  this  form  of  bronchitis,  it  will  suffice  to 


DISEASES   OF   TUB   THROAT.  105 

refer  to  that  wliicli  tlie  author  adopted  in  the  case 
of  J.  H.,  and  which  he  has  found  equally  successful 
in  other  cases.  In  the  first  place,  he  prevailed  upon 
him  to  follow  exactly  every  direction  which  is  laid 
down  in  the  third  part  of  this  work,  for  the  preven- 
tion of  consumption,  improvement  of  the  general 
health,  &c. ;  employed  counter-irritants,  shoulder- 
braces,  inhalations  and  the  inhaling  tube  ;  but 
gave  very  little  medicine,  and  that  only  to  meet 
certain  indications.  The  author  thinks  it  absolutely 
impossible,  to  cure  chronic  bronchitis  with  drugs 
alone  ;  the  strictest  regimen  is  necessary.  Of  course, 
there  are  indications  in  each  case  which  require 
suitable  medicines,  but  medication  without  regimen, 
will  not  avail  in  this  obstinate  malady. 

Common  or  Incipient  Sore  Throat. — This  com- 
plaint is  so  common,  and  its  causes  so  well  under- 
stood, that  much  need  not  be  said  to  enlio^hten  the 
reader  ujDon  the  subject.  Women  are  more  exempt 
from  throat  diseases  than  men,  as  they  wear  much 
less  covering  about  the  neck,  which  becomes,  like  the 
face,  capable  of  resisting  inclemencies  and  vicissi- 
tudes of  the  weather. 

Causes. — Wet  or  damp  feet,  colds,  deranged 
stomach,  &c. 

The  symptoms  are  known  to  all. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  which  the  author 
prescribes  for  this  affection,  and  which  he  has  found 
to  cure  readily  in  most  cases,  is  the  following :  he 
orders  a  light,  farinaceous  diet,  a  simple  gargle  of 
alum  and  water,  or  of  cayenne  pepper  and  water ; 
to  take  half  an  ounce  of  the  sulphate  of  magnesia  on 
going  to  bed,  and  to  employ  a  wet  towel  bound 
round  the  neck,  on  retiring,  which  is  to  be  worn  all 
night.  Cold  bathing,  and  strict  attention  to  other 
hygienic  measures,  will  effectually  fortify  every  per- 
son against  its  attacks. 
6 


106  ASTHMA. 


ASTHMA. 


This  is  a  paroxysmal  disease,  characterized  by 
difficulty  of  breatliing,  and  accompanied  by  wheez- 
ing, constriction  of  the  cliest,  and  congh  ;  and 
terminates  generally  in  expectoration.  It  most  fre- 
quently attacks  the  aged  ;  infancy  and  youth  being 
comparatively  exempt.  The  paroxysms  usually  come 
on  in  the  night.  The  disease  is  supposed  by  most 
writers  to  consist  of  a  morbid  dilatation  of  the  air 
cells  of  the  lungs  or  emphysema  of  the  lungs.  The 
pneuniogastric  nerve,  and  the  muscles  of  the  larynx 
are  without  doubt  frequently  implicated.  ISTot  less 
than  twelve  kinds  of  asthma  are  minutely  described 
by  nosologists.  It  is  to  be  treated  by  venesection — 
in  plethoric  cases — and  by  narcotics,  antispasmodics 
and  diaphoretics.'  The  lobelia  inflata,  given  in  the 
form  of  a  saturated  tincture  of  the  leaves,  in  doses  of 
from  3ss.  to  3ij.,  is  the  most  effectual  remedy  known 
to  the  profession  at  the  present  day.  JSTo  disease 
calls  for  stricter  hygienic  regulations  ;  I  refer  to 
temperance  in  diet,  regular  exercise,  regular  sleep, 
residence  in  a  salubrious  locality,  &c.,  &c. 


H15ART   DISEASES.  107 


HEAET  DISEASES. 


To  tlie  great  mass  of  mankind,  tlie  diseases  of  this 
organ  are  obscure,  and  must  ever  remain  so.  They 
are  also  a  great  stumbling  block  to  many  physicians. 
The  only  modes  of  detecting  them  with  certainty,  is 
by  means  of  auscultation,  pulsation,  inspection,  and 
percussion  ;  which  have  already  been  enlarged  upon 
in  the  fourth  part  of  this  Yolume.  The  diseases  of 
the  heart  are  not  to  be  reached  by  domestic  remedies  ; 
patients,  therefore,  laboring  under  these  affections, 
must  seek  the  counsel  of  the  skillful,  experienced, 
and  scientific  physician.  Diseases  of  this  organ  are 
very  dangerous,  and  were  formerly  considered  uni- 
formly fatal.  There  are  certain  morbid  conditions 
of  the  system  which  induce  them,  but  which  are 
entirely  curable,  if  treated  properly  and  in  season. 
Diseases  of  the  heart  were  formerly  thought  to  be 
rare,  but  they  are  now  known  to  be  very  common. 


108 


PNEUMONIA. 


p^^umo:nia. 


The  term  pneumonia  is  now  universally  applied 
to  that  disease  of  the  lungs,  which  consists  merely 
of  inflammation  of  their  spongy  textm^e  or  paren- 
chj^ma.  It  is  likely  to  be  confounded  with  phthisis, 
bronchitis,  pleurisy,  or  pulmonary  oedema.  It  is  a 
very  dangerous  disease  ;  least  dangerous  in  children, 
more  so  in  middle  life,  and  extremely  so  in  the  aged. 

Causes. — Sudden  exposure  to  cold,  when  the  per- 
son is  in  a  perspiration,  vicissitudes  of  the  weather, 
excessive  speaking  or  singing,  violence,  drunken- 
ness, and  the  suppression  of  habitual  discharges. 
It  sometimes  occurs  after  great  surgical  operations, 
and  frequently  accompanies  small  pox,  erysipelas, 
rheumatism,  gout,  and  other  diseases. 

Symjytoras. — The  expectoration  or  sputum,  is  vis- 
cid and  of  a  rusty  tinge,  (this  may  be  set  down  as 
a  pathognomonic  symptom,)  cough,  difficulty  of 
breathing,  shivering,  pain  in  the  chest,  and  fever. 

Treatment. — Bleeding  is  universally  resorted  to, 
and  should  be  followed  by  a  thorough  evacuation 
of  the  bowels,  by  means  of  calomel  and  jalap,  or 
the  compound  cathartic  pill,  or  the  infusion  of  sen- 
na with  the  sulphate  of  magnesia.  Recourse  must 
be  had  to  expectorants,  mucilaginous  drinks,  ano- 
dynes, &c.  Antimonium  tartarizatum,  in  large  and 
often  repeated  dcses,  is  considered  by  many  eminent 
practitioners  to  be  almost  a  specific  in  pneumonia. 
Others  place  entire  reliance  upon  the  mild  chloride 
of  mercury.  Blisters  are  of  very  doubtful  advan- 
tage ;  a  repetition  of  the  general  bleeding,  and  the 
topical  extraction  of  blood,  by  means  of  cups,  is 
good  practice.  The  disease  is  far  too  grave  and 
energetic  to  be  managed  by  domestic  treatment. 


PLEUEIST.  109 


PLEUKISY.— Syx.— PZ^wnV25. 

An  inflammation  oftlieplem'a — delicate  mem- 
brane lining  the  cavity  of  the  chest  and  investing 
the  lungs — it  may  be  either  acute  or  chronic.  It 
chieflv  attacks  those  of  a  vigorous  constitution  and 
plethoric  habit.  It  is  caused  by  colds,  principally, 
but  may  be  occasioned  by  any  cause  which  gives 
rise   to  inflammations  in  other  parts  of  the  system. 

Symptoms. — Acute  pain  in  the  side,  which  is  in- 
creased by  a  full  insj^iration,  flushed  face,  short 
breath,  hot  sldn,  rigors,  fever,  difllculty  of  lying 
upon  the  affected  side,  hard,  strong,  frequent  and 
vibrating  pulse,  nausea  and  cough.  If  blood,  is 
drawn,  it  exhibits  the  buffy  coat.  . 

Treatment. — Large  and  repeated  bleedings  from 
the  arm,  leeches  or  cupping  glasses  over  the  seat  of 
pain,  blisters,  purgatives,  diaphoretics,  and  a  perfect 
antiphlogistic  regimen. 

The  Chronic  Torrti — principally  attacks  the  aged 
and  dissipated;  it  is  usually  fatal,  bronchitis  generally 
supervening  to  assist  in  the  destruction  of  the  patient ; 
the  symptoms  are  very  obscure.  Leeching  and 
counter-irritation  forms  the  -most  suitable  treatment. 
Adhesions  of  the  pleura  to  the  walls  of  the  chest, 
thickening  of  the  pleura,  hydro  thorax,  or  water  in 
the  cavity  of  the  chest,  &c.,  &c.,  are  likely  to  follow 
either  form  of  the  disease. 


110  PKESEEVATION    OF   THE    VOICE. 


PKESEEYATIOl^  A'NB  IMPEOYEMENT  OF 
THE  YOICE. 

The  author  is  frequently  consulted  by  gentlemen 
belonging  to  the  various  professions,  which  require 
them  to  speak  in  public,  by  teachers,  singers,  auc- 
tioneers, &c. ;  some  wishing  to  recover  the  use  of 
their  voices,  and  others  wishing  to  strengthen  and 
improve  them.  J^ot  every  Swede,  nor  every  beauti- 
ous  maid  of  Erin,  nor  every  Anglo-American,  can 
have  the  voice  of  the  nightingale;  but  all  voices  are 
susceptible  of  vast  improvement,  whether  they  are 
natural,  or  much  impaired  by  disease.  The  best 
mode  of  improving  a  healthy,  natural  voice,  is  by 
exercising  it  properly  after  good  models  ;  to  improve 
the  symmetr}^  of  the  neck  and  chest,  by  wearing 
shoulder  braces,  and  using  an  inhaling  tube;  by  gym- 
nastics, and  vigorous  exercise  in  the  open  air.  The 
best  mode  of  preserving  the  voice,  is  not  to  exercise 
it  inordinately ;  to  give  it  sufficient  rest,  to  avoid 
the  inhalation  of  all  impure  air,  mist  and  fogs,  dust 
and  gases ;  to  have  singing  and  speaking  apart- 
ments well  ventilated ;  to  pay  particular  attention  to 
the  teeth  ;  to  fortify  the  throat  and  bronchige  against 
colds  and  hoarseness,  by  cold  bathing  and  friction  ; 
in  short,  to  keep  the  whole  system  in  perfect  health. 

Loss  OF  YoicE. — This  affection  often  results  from 
sudden  colds,  and  in  such  cases  is  generally  soon 
cured  by  mild  laxatives,  hot  foot-baths  and  copious 
draughts  of  the  infusion  of  hoarhound  on  going  to 
bed.  When  it  results  from  chronic  laryngitis  or 
protracted  colds,  it  is  much  more  difficult  to  cure, 
and  often  entirely  silences  the  patient  for  weeks,  and 


PRESERVATION   OF   THE   VOICE.  Ill 

even  months.  Sometimes  it  is  occasioned  by  lead 
poison ;  it  must  then  be  treated  by  the  proto-chlo- 
ride  of  hydrargyrum,  by  stimulating  gargles,  and 
topical  applications ;  as  a  solution  of  the  nitrate  of 
silver,  to  the  internal  surface  of  the  larynx,  as  prac- 
ticed by  M.  Trousseau.  These  measures  are  also 
applicable  in  all  cases  where  the  loss  or  modification 
of  the  voice  is  dependent  upon  debility  of  the  mus- 
cles of  the  larynx.  The  voice  should  never  be  used 
- — in  singing  or  speaking  in  public — immediately 
after  eating.  Many  jDublic  speakers  contract  the 
ungraceful  habit  of  drinking,  or  wetting  the  throat 
while  speaking ;  this  injures  the  voice.  Some  pub- 
lic singers  have  codes  upon  diet,  with  strict  refer- 
ence to  the  quality  of  their  voices  ;  these  are  appli- 
cable, just  so  far  as  they  recommend  abstinence 
from  stimulating  food  and  drinks,  and  moderation 
in  the  quantity  of  healthy  food  to  be  taken.  Toba- 
oo-chewing,  snuff-taking,  and  smoking,  materially 
mjure  the  voice.  Sometimes  strong  and  sudden 
emotions,  as  of  joy,  fright,  and  anger,  will  entirely 
suspend  it ;  in  such  cases,  it  will  retm^n  upon  a  re- 
sumption of  the  equilibrinm  of  the  nervous  system. 
The  voice  is  very  much  injured  by  frequent  and 
neglected  colds,  tonsilitis,  lengthened  uvula,  laryngi- 
tis, trachitis,  bronchitis,  consumption,  constipation, 
falling  of  the  bowels,  a  bent  jDosition,  immoderate 
venery,  dissipation^  (fee,  &a 


112  CONSTIPATION. 


cokstipatio:n". 

Syn. — Costiveness. — Irregular  Bowels. 

From  mechanical  impediment,  diminished  con- 
tractility, or  susceptibility  of  the  muscular  coatings 
of  the  intestines,  to  tlie  usual  alvine  stimuli,  or  a 
deficiency  of  these  stimuli,  from  habit,  &c. ;  the  stools 
often  become  less  frequent  or  less  in  quantity  than 
in  health. 

Sym2?to7ns. — In  the  author's  opinion,  every  person 
in  health,  has  at  least  one  passage  from  the  bowels 
every  twenty-four  hours,  and  consequently  people 
who  habitually  go  a  longer  time,  suffer  from  con- 
stipation. To  controvert  this  doctrine,  instances  are 
urged  upon  our  notice,  of  people  who  are  accustomed 
to  but  one  j^assage  every  two,  or  three  and  even  six 
days,  and  still  are  said  to  suffer  no  apparent  dis- 
advantage. A  close  scrutiny,  however,  into  such 
cases,  always  dete'cts  consequent  derangements.  The 
evacuations  may  be  quite  regular  in  the  period  of 
their  recurrence,  and  still  entirely  insufficient  in 
quantity.  The  faeces  are  usually  dry,  hard  and 
knotted  into  lumps,  causing  straining  and  painful 
distention  of  the  anus  at  the  stool.  !Not  unfrequent- 
ly  the  patient  passes  also  a  bloody  mucus.  The 
faeces  are  sometimes  quite  black,  and  sometimes  of  a 
light  clay  color.  Flatulence,  distention  of  the  ab- 
domen, colic  pains,  nausea  and  headache  finish  the 
list  of  common  symjDtoms. 

Effects. — These  are  legion  ;  among  the  most  re- 
markable are  irritation,  inflammation,  ulceration, 
and  gangrene  of  the  bowels,  impediments  to  the 


co:n^stipation.  113 

circulation,  congestions,  contamination  of  the  blood, 
weakness  of  the  intellect,  heart  diseases,  throat 
diseases,  bronchitis,  consumption,  dyspepsia,  drowsi- 
ness, depression  of  spirits,  fever,  vertigo,  headache, 
difficulty  of  breathing,  pains  in  the  loins  and  limbs, 
liver  and  kidney  diseases  ;  stone  in  the  bladder, 
flushed  face,  furred  tongue,  prolapsus  of  the  anus, 
bleeding  from  the  rectum,  piles,  fistula  in  ano,  ca- 
tarrh of  the  bladder,  strangury,  diarrhea,  dysentery, 
colic,  leucorrhoea,  amenorrhoea,  dysmenorrhoea,  men- 
orrbagia,  falling  of  the  bowels  and  consequent  failing 
of  the  "svomb  ;  foul  breath,  sick-headache,  unpleasant 
exhalation  from  the  skin,  pimples  on  the  face, 
opacity  and  discoloration  of  the  skin,  bleeding  at  the 
nose,  paralysis,  epilepsy,  apoplexy,  hysteria,  melan- 
choly and  insanity,  are  first  only,  in  the  list  of  effects 
and  diseases  established  by  constipation.  Some  of 
these  diseases  often  take  an  independent  existence, 
and  last  long  after  the  cause  is  removed. 

Treatment. — Regular  solicitations  of  nature  at  a 
stated  hour,  suitable  exercise,  change  of  air  and 
scene,  relaxation  from  study,  bathing,  and  friction 
U-pon  the  skin,  kneading  of  the  bo w^ els  ;  regular 
habits,  change  and  regulation  of  the  diet,  suitable 
medicines,  and  an  abdominal  supporter.  By  these 
means  I  have  never  found  much  difficulty  in  curing 
completely  the  most  obstinate  cases.  In  most  in- 
stances I  find  that  the  use  of  the  abdominal  supporter 
alone,  speedily  accomplishes  the  object.  If  there  is 
any  one  subject  connected  Tvith  health,  Tvhich  more 
than  another  recjuires  the  studious  attention  of  man- 
kind, and  which  is  most  of  all  neglected,  it  is  that  of 
Constipation  of  the  Bowels  ;  probably  the  most 
fruitful  of  all  causes  of  disease,  especially  in  women. 
Ko  consumptive  need  hope  for  an  alleviation  of 
symptoms,  or  a  cure,  who  permits  his  system  to 
suffer  from  the  effects  of  constipation. 


114  DYSPEPSIA. 


DYSPEPSIA. 

This  is  a  very  common  disease  ;  it  consists  of 
indigestion,  dependent  npon  chronic  irritation,  in- 
flammation or  atony  of  the  stomach  or  the  conti- 
guous intestines.  It  is  known  by  pain  in  the  re- 
gion of  the  stomach,  directly  after  eating;  vomit- 
ing, acrid  eructations,  heartburn,  pyrosis,  want  of  ap- 
petite, transient  distensions  of  the  stomach,  and  some- 
times costiveness  or  diarrhea.  The  nervous  system 
is  often  much  affected  in  dyspepsia ;  thus  we  have 
headache,  palpitations  of  the  heart,  dimness  of  vis- 
ion, partial  deafness  and  despondency. 

People  of  sedentary  habits  are  most  subject  to 
attacks  of  the  disease,  but  it  also  frecpently  attacks 
from  other  causes  than  a  sedentary  life,  as  from 
colds,  bad  diet,  fast  eating,  over  eating,  eating  be- 
tween meals,  grief,  &c.  It  may  also  attend  organic 
affections,  cancer,  &c. 

Perhaps  no  invalid  suffers  more  or  enjoys  less 
than  the  confirmed  dyspeptic.  He  awakes  in  the 
morning,  not  only  unrefreshed  and  unrestored  by 
sleep,  l3ut  feeling  infinitely  worse  than  when  he 
retired ;  his  whole  system  is  deranged,  and  an  uni- 
versal feeling  of  misery  is  the  conseqnence ;  he  is 
drowsy,  fatigued  and  averse  to  risiug.  His  tongue 
is  covered  with  a  thick,  yellow  or  grayish  coat,  his 
mouth  is  dry  and  tastes  disgustingly.  After  each 
meal  he  has  pain,  waterbrash,  or  acid  eructations ; 
sometimes  feels  a  little  better  and  then  much  worse. 
He  enjoys  nothing ;  neither  the  pleasures  of  the  table, 
society  nor  amusements ;  he  has  no  refreshing  sleep, 


DYSPEPSIA.  115 

but  is  haunted  by  distressing  dreams,  and  turns  and 
tumbles  about  in  his  bed,  vainly  endeavoring  to  find 
rest.  He  feels  as  though  he  would  give  worlds  for 
oblivion  ;  he  is  often  tormented  with  the  most  dia- 
bolical desire  to  commit  some  gross  outrage  ;  and, 
in  short,  he  is  utterly  miserable. 

The  treatment  consists  in  restoring  tone  to  the 
affected  organs,  invigoration  of  the  general  system, 
obviating  the  causes,  and  relieving  symptoms.  For 
these  indications,  careful  diet,  regular  exercise  in  the 
open  air,  rest,  sleep  at  regular  hours,  attention  to  the 
bowels,  bathing  and  friction  are  the  most  applicable. 
We  must  meet  the  atony  by  vegetable  tonics,  dis- 
ordered secretion  by  rdilcl  mercurials,  laxatives,  and 
antacids  ;  and  the  inflammation  by  leeches,  saline 
cathartics,  and  abstinence.  I  have  devoted  much 
attention  to  this  disease,  and  am  gratified  in  being 
able  to  cure  it  in  a  short  time. 


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FEMALE  DISEASES. 


It  would  not  com- 
port with  the  design 
of  this  work,  for  the 
anthor  to  write  upon 
all  of  the  diseases  to 
which  women  are  par- 
ticularly liable  ;  he 
has  therefore  noticed 
those  only  which  are 
the  most  common,  and 
which  tend  most  to 
destroy  the  general 
health,  and  thus  assist 
in  laying  the  founda- 
tion of  consumption. 
The  diseases  noticed 
are  mostly  lesions  of 
functions  and  vital 
lesions  ;     lesions      of 

Perfect  symmetry  and  health.  form,  situatiou,  devel- 

opment, and  reproduction  are  not  referred  to.  Under 
the  two  former  heads,  the  author  classes  hysteria, 
nymphomania,  retention  of  the  menses,  change  of 
life,  hysteralgia,  a-naphroclisia,  mastodynia,  false  preg- 
nancy, inertia  of  the  womb,  chlorosis,  hypersemia, 
hydrometra,  menorrhagia,  physometra  ;  amenor- 
rhoea,  dysmenorrhoea,  phlegmon,  oedema,  varix, 
cysts,  fibrous'  and  sanguine  tumors  of  the  labia,  ery- 


FEMALE   DISEASES.  117 

sipelas,  prurigo,  fuDgns  of  the  nymphse,  ulcers  and 
excrescences  of  the  vulva ;  carcinoma  of  the  clitoris 
and  meatus  urinarius,  acute  and  chronic  vaginitis, 
whites,  uterine  phlebitis,  acute  and  chronic  metritis ; 
ulceration,  excoriation,  cancer,  putrescence,  dropsy, 
and  softening  of  the  womb  ;  cancer  of  the  breast,  me- 
trorrhagia, fibrous  tumors,  polypus,  calculus, hydatids, 
sanguine  and  lymphatic  concretions  in  the  substance 
of  the  womb,  scirrhus,  or  cancer  ;  tumor  and  dropsy 
of  the  ovary.  The  above  comprise  only  about  one- 
fourth  of  the  lesions  incident  to  females,  and  the 
author  presumes  that  the  fatigue  of  going  over  the 
above  lengthy  fragment,  will  give  sufficient  distaste 
to  induce  his  fair  readers  to  join  him  in  declaring, 
that  the  subject  is  quite  too  broad  and  elaborate  for 
any  but  a  medical  mind.  It  is  well  for  every  lady 
to  know  all  that  she  can  find  time  to  learn  of  herself, 
anatomically,  physiologically,  and  pathologically ; 
for  which  she  is  referred  to  the  various  text  books 
which  cluster  in  bright  constellations  about  our 
science.  My  fair  readers  must  not  place  too  broad 
an  interpretation  upon  these  remarks.  I  refer,  of 
course,  only  to  such  knowledge  as  is  every  day  ne- 
cessary in  female  hygiene.  Our  ideas  of  delicacy 
might  be  startled,  were  we  to  meet  with  a  lady  who 
knew  too  much  of  herself. 


118  FALLING   OF   THE   WOMB. 


FALLma  OF  THE  WOMB. 

S YN. — Prolapsics  Uteri. — Hystero^tosis, 

I  HAYE  made  some  remarks  "upon  falling  of  the 
womb,  in  the  chapter  on  Abdominal  Supporters, 
but  as  I  have  broached  the  subject  of  female  dis- 
eases, it  will  be  expected  that  this  frequent  and 
afflicting  maladj  will  be  spoken  of  in  a  separate 
article.  Opinions  of  medical  men  are  somewhat  at 
variance  upon  the  cause  or  causes  of  prolapsus  uteri ; 
some  contend  that  it  arises  from  loss  of  tone  of  the 
parts  ;  others  say  that  relaxation  of  the  ligaments  of 
the  womb  is  the  sole  cause,  while  others  contend 
that  relaxation  of  the  vagina  alone  is  quite  sufficient. 
M.  Lisfranc  thinks  the  disease  or  displacement  is 
almost  always  produced  by  engorgement  of  the 
womb  ;  in  this  opinion  he  is  supported  by  many 
eminent  medical  writers.  At  least,  one  gentleman 
who  has  given  the  profession  his  incidental  opinion, 
says,  that  prolapsus  uteri  is  caused  by  a  softening, 
loss  of  contractility,  or  relaxation  of  the  pelvic 
muscles.  The  author  thinks  that  relaxation  of  the 
abdominal  muscles  and  consequent  gravitation  of 
the  viscera,  with  relaxation  of  the  peritoneal  expan- 
sions, constitute,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  the  prin- 
cipal causes  of  falling  of  the  womb.  There  are,  of 
course,  besides  these,  predisposing  and  occasional 
causes ;  as  frequent  pregnancy,  emaciation,  abusus 
coitus,  tumors  upon  the  womb,  an  unnatural  capa- 
city of  the  pelvis  or  vagina,  leucorrhcea,  tight  lac- 
ing, violent  exertion,  abortion,  rising  too  soon  after 
parturition,  engorgement  of  the  uterus,  &c.,  &c. 


FALLING   OF   THE   WOMB-.  119 

Treatment. — The  first  indication  is,  replacement 
of  the  organ  ;  the  second,  to  keep  it  in  its  proper 
position.  For  the  fulfillment  of  the  first  indication, 
the  lady  must  rely  upon  the  manipulations  of  her 
physician  or  nurse.  The  abdominal  supporter  shonld 
be  immediately  adjusted,  and  suitable  hygienic 
directions,  and  medicines  given. 

The  often  mooted,  but  still  unsettled  question'now 
arises.  Should  a  pessary  be  employed  ?  Being  my- 
self of  the  opinion  that  more  mischief  has  accrued 
from  the  use  of  j^essaries  than  benefit,  arising  no 
doubt  in  many  instances  from  its  being  employed 
when  nothing  of  the  kind  was  indicated,  from  choos- 
ing a  bad  instrument,  from  neglect  to  extract  and 
cleanse  it  at  proper  intervals,  &c.,  &c.,  any  argu- 
ment which  I  might  institute  upon  the  subject, 
based,  as  such  argument  must  be,  upon  anatomy, 
physiology,  and  pathology,  would  perhaps  but  cover 
the  objections  to  the  instrument,  and  necessarily  lead 
the  reader  into  a  labyrinth  where  more  medical 
jargon  than,  to  her  plain  common  sense,  would 
pertain.  I  shall  therefore  but  mention  some  of  the 
evil  conseqnences  which  have,  in  repeated  instances, 
followed  the  employment  of  the  instrument.  All 
pessaries  are  liable  to  be  coated  with  calcareous  in- 
crustations, and  nearly  all  are  liable  to  corrode  and 
decoi  'ipose.  They  never  fail  to  excite  irritation,  and, 
from  their  pressure,  impede  the  functions  of  all  the 
pelvic  organs — defecation,  urination,  menstruation, 
&c.,  &c.  They  frequently  cause  change  of  texture, 
and  purulent  vegetations  which  sometimes  complete- 
ly fill  the  vagina  ;  also  strangulation  of  the  womb, 
j^ain,  engorgement,  injury  to  the  walls  of  the  vagina, 
perforation  of  the  rectum  and  bladder;  vesico-vaginal 
fistulas,  mortification,  ulceration,  sloughing,  com- 
plete loss  of  the  vagina,  fatal  peritonitis,  cancer  of 
the  womb,  &c.,  &c.     It  is  probable  that  the  French 


120  FALLING   OF   THE   WOMB. 

surgeons  have  tested  the  utility  of  the  pessary  more 
thoroughly  than  the  surgeons  of  any  other  people  ; 
and  they,  nearly  all,  speak  disparagingly  of  it. 
Among  whom  I  can  say  positively,  that  Dupuytren, 
Grenier,  Colombat,  Mauriceau,  and  Lisfranc,  have 
recorded  their  testimony  against  it.  As  the  abdo- 
minal supporter  entirely  obviates  the  necessity  of 
employing  a  pessary,  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  the 
former  instrument  will,  finally,  entirely  supersede 
the  apparent  necessity  which,  to  some,  seems  at 
times  to  exist  for  its  use. 


LECrCOERHCEA,    &C.  121 


LEUCOERHCEA. 

Stn. —  Whites. — Fluor  Albtcs. —  Uterine  Catarrh. — 
Fleurs  Blanches. 

This  frequent  and  distressing  disease  is  known 
by  a  secretion  of  whitish  mucus  from  the  lining 
membrane  of  the  womb  or  vagina  of  women.  The 
discharge  is  sometimes  very  profuse,  and  is  at- 
tended with  a  pain  in  the  back  and  loins,  smarting 
during  urination,  want  of  appetite,  loss  of  flesh,  pale- 
ness, lassitude,  nervousness,  and  dejection.  In  cases 
where  the  discharge  is  very  acrid,  it  will  contaminate, 
giving  rise  to  symptoms  resembling  those  of  vene- 
real. If  the  case  is  of  long  standing,  fever,  diffi- 
culty of  breathing,  palpitations  of  the  heart,  faint- 
ings,  and  swellings  of  the  lower  extremities  often 
ensue. 

Causes. — Laxity  of  the  parts  concerned,  general 
debility,  poor  diet,  use  and  abuse  of  tea  ;  profuse 
evacuations,  immoderate  ilowings  of  the  menses, 
immoderate  coition,  difficult  and  tedious  labors, 
frequent  miscarriages,  falling  of  the  bowels  uj)on  the 
womb,  use  and  abuse  of  spices,  w^arm  baths,  chalk, 
purgatives,  emmenagogues,  foot-stoves,  and  coffiee  ; 
debility  and  inflammations  of  the  womb  and  vagina. 

Treatment. — It  must  be  treated  by  general  hy- 
gienic means  ;  as  gentle  exercise,  pure  air,  a  light, 
full,  nutritious  diet,  attention  to  bathing,  avoidance 
of  excitement,  rest,  abstinence  from  coition,  and  per- 
fect regularity  in  all  the  habits.  By  astringent  washes, 
suitable  tonics,  (as  of  metallic  iron,  gentian,  columbo, 
cinchona,  myrrh,  &c.,)  anti-leucorrhoeal  troches  of 
copaiba,  suppositiories,  and  above  all,  an  abdominal 


122  LEUCOEEHCeA,    &C. 

supporter.  I  can  generally  cure  the  whites,  in  a 
short  time,  with  a  supporter,  suitable  tonics  and 
injections.  In  some  cases  I  have  found  the  suppor- 
ter alone  sufficient.  Pomme  warmly  recommends 
baths  of  a  temperature  of  90®  F.,  emollient  fomen- 
tations, and  diluents.  The  disease  should  at  once  be 
cured  at  any  cost,  as  it  ruins  the  constitution  and 
drags  the  woman  to  her  grave. 


AMENOEKHCEA.  123 


AMEKOEKHCEA. 


This  afFection  may  be  defined  to  be  an  obstruc- 
tion or  suppression  of  the  monthly  turns  or  menses, 
from  causes  other  than  pregnancy  or  advanced  age. 
If  it  occurs  in  a  young  lady,  who  has  not  menstru- 
ated at  the  time  when  it  would  be  expected  from 
her  age  that  she  should,  the  difficulty  is  termed 
Emansio  ineiisiiiin.  If  it  is  a  morbid  cessation  with 
one  with  whom  the  periods  have  been  previously 
established,  it  is  termed  Suppressio  onensium. 

Causes. — General  debility,  sedentary  habits,  im- 
proper diet,  plethora,  fatigue,  vivid  emotions,  colds, 
improper  use  of  aperient  medicines,  haemorrhage, 
a  burn  or  blister,  consumption,  scrofula,  inflamma- 
tions, false  membranes,  form,  development,  &c,  &c. 

Treat-inent. — If  occurring  in  a  young  unmarried 
lady,  it  is  to  be  treated  as  chlorosis.  {See  chlorosis) 
A  resort  to  general  principles  is  quite  indispensable 
in  the  treatment  of  this  affection  ;  we  must  first  as- 
certain the  exact  cause  of  amenorrhcea,  which  cause 
should  be  removed,  and  other  indications  carefully 
attended  to.  If  the  disease  proceeds  from  plethora, 
we  must  adopt  means  to  diminish  the  exuberance 
and  richness  of  the  blood,  and  the  other  fluids  by 
means  of  suitable  purges,  low  diet,  and  sometimes 
by  bleeding.  If  it  is  caused  by  a  sudden  cold,  we 
should  prescribe  warm,  stimulating  drinks,  as  infu- 
sion of  mint,  elder  flowers,  balm,  &c.  The  author 
might  pursue  the  subject  of  the  treatment  of  amen- 
orrhcea to  great  length,  as  it  requires  a  very  nice 
discrimination,  and  scrutiny  into  each  individual 
case,  before  the  proper  treatment  can  be  laid  down. 
The  advice  of  the  intelligent  and  careful  physician 
is  therefore  indispensable. 


124:  DTSMENOREHCEA.. 


DYSMENOEEIICEA. 

This  term  signifies  menstruation  forced,  or  accom- 
panied by  uterine  pains,  pains  in  the  back,  loins,  and 
lower  part  of  the  abdomen,  and  often  bj  nervous  and 
hysterical  symptoms. 

Causes. — Plethora,  nervous  irritability,  and  many 
of  the  causes  which  ]3roduce  amenorrhoea. 

Bymjptoms. — The  discharge  is  usuall}^  slight ;  there 
are  pains  in  the  loins,  back,  groins,  thighs,  and  hypo- 
gastric region;  more  or  less  anxiety,  lassitude,  sleep- 
lessness, irritability,  itching,  and  often  a  sense  of 
constriction  in  the  throat. 

Treatment. — If  the  disease — or  rather  the  painful 
exercise  of  a  function — proceeds  from  plethora,  there 
are  frequently  pieces  of  false  membrane  and  blood 
in  the  discharge,  and  it  must  be  treated  by  antiphlo- 
gistic means  ;  as  leeches  to  the  anus,  frequent,  mild, 
saline  purges,  nitre,  &c.  Other  cases  are  relieved 
by  warm  baths,  warm  hi]3  baths,  anodynes,  diapho- 
retics, acetate  of  ammonia,  narcotic  injections,  vege- 
table diet,  and  emollient  drinks.  The  itching  can 
be  relieved  by  injections  of  an  infusion  of  poppy 
heads  with  a  mucilage  of  marshmallows. 


CHLOROSIS.  125 

CHLOKOSIS. 
Syn. — The  Green  Sickness. 

This  disease  attacks  principally  young  unmarried 
ladies,  at  about  the  age  of  puberty.  It  is  character- 
ized by  a  slightly  greeu  and  yellow  tint  of  the  skin, 
and  loss  of  red  tinge,  pale  lips,  absence  of  perspira- 
tion, bloated  face,  universal  debility,  fatigue,  languor, 
melancholy,  loss  of  tone  in  the  digestive  organs, 
acidity  in  the  stomach,  flatulency,  constijDation,  per- 
verted taste,  palpitations  of  the  heart,  weak  back, 
pains  in  the  loins,  and  flaccidity  of  the  whole  person  ; 
quick  pulse,  oedematous  swellings  of  the  feet,  many 
symptoms  of  hysteria,  unusually  pale  and  scanty  ca- 
tamenia,  and  finally  a  total  suppression. 

Causes. — The  disease  arises  from  a  deficiency  of 
blood  globules,  caused  by  premature  and  rapid 
growth,  feeble  constitution,  suppression  of  the  men- 
ses, frequent  haemorrhages,  onanism,  celibacy,  cap- 
tivity, sadness,  grief,  melancholy,  disappointment; 
living  in  secluded,  dark,  damp  situations,  as  in  cel- 
lars, narrow  streets,  mines,  deej)  and  sombre  vallies 
and  woods ;  bad  diet,  drinking  vinegar,  eating  clay, 
sealing-wax,  pickles,  cloves,  lemons,  chalk,  slate- 
pencils,  green  fruit,  rose  leaves,  &c. ;  and  finally,  a 
sedentary  and  voluptuous  life,  all  cause  the  nervous 
debility,  and  deficiency  of  red  blood  globules  upon 
which  deficiency  the  disease  depends. 

Treatment. — Daily  exercise  in  the  open  air,  cold 
bathing,  exemption  from  study,  liglit.^full  diet,  riding 
on  horseback,  travelling,  agreeable  company,  atten- 
tion to  the  bowels  and  catamenia,  proper  use  of  flan- 
nel, moderate  use  of  wine  and  tonic  medicines.  The 
mineral  waters  of  Pyrmont,  Yichy,  and  Spa,  are 
highly  recommended  by  French  writers. 


126  BARRENNESS. 


B  A  E  K  E  ]Sr  I^  E  S  S  . 

Stn. — Sterility. 

Sterility  may  depend  npoii  tlie  male  or  female, 
and  may  arise  from  malformation ;  but,  in  tlie  great 
majority  of  cases,  it  is  caused  by  debility  of  tbe 
sexual  organs.  This  debility  is  caused  in  men  by 
dissipation,  excesses,  strictures,  &c.,  and  in  women 
by  the  diseases  peculiar  to  their  sex ;  but  especially  by 
disordered  menstruation,  chlorosis,  and  whites.  The 
treatment  is  easily  adapted  by  the  intelligent  phy- 
sician, and  generally  soon  effective.  It  is  of  the  last 
importance  that  a  medical  adviser  should  be  per- 
fectly educated  upon  the  subject  of  physical  incom- 
petency in  either  sex,  and  of  barrenness  or  sterility, 
as  they  are  both  usually  within  the  reach  of  suitable 
remedies  ;  mere  mediocrity  in  medical  science,  is 
quite  incompetent  to  either  emergency. 


HYGIENE   OF   WOMEN.  127 


HYGIENE  OF  W0ME:N^. 

"Women  have  tempestuous  and  dangerous  periods 
to  pass,  diseases  and  pains  to  endure,  and  physio- 
logical changes  to  encounter,  which  are  peculiar  to 
their  sex,  and  which  may  be  said  to  be  superadded 
to  those  usually  incident  to  humanity.  There  are 
then,  hygienic  precepts,  which  belong  to  the  sex  alone ; 
and  it  is  the  author's  pm'pose  to  refer  to  them  briefly 
in  this  ai*ticle.  We  must  begin  at  that  period  when 
the  divine  light  of  womanhood  first  sheds  its  beau- 
tiful rays  as  precursors  upon  the  fragile  form  of 
childhood.  As  this  age — the  age  of  puberty — ap- 
proaches, the  tender  young  girl  should  receive  spe- 
cial attention  from  her  mother  or  governess,  and  be 
instructed  by  either  respecting  those  changes  which 
mark  this  brilliant  epoch  in  her  existence.  Pear, 
shame  and  mischief,  often  arise  from  the  mistaken 
silence  of  mothers  upon  these  important  subjects. 

At  the  crises  of  the  irruption  of  the  menses,  the 
young  woman  — for  woman  she  now  is — should  not 
be  subjected  to  that  strict  physical  and  mental  dis- 
cipline and  training,  which  at  seasonable  times  is  so 
necessary  to  fit  her  for  the  exalted  place  she  is  des- 
tined to  occupy  upon  the  stage  of  existence.  Re- 
laxation from  severe  study  is  necessary,  that  the 
powers  of  her  system  may  come  to  her  assistance  in 
the  performance  of  a  new,  and  at  the  outset — ex- 
tremely difiicuit  function.  If  she  must  study,  let  her 
cultivate  the  higher  branches,  avoiding  romance ;  as 


128  HYGIENE    OF   WOMEIT. 

History,  Geography,  Rhetoric,  ISTatural  Philosophy, 
&c.  Or,  if  she  is  of  a  dull,  cold,  phlegmatic  and 
indifferent  temperament,  the  opposite  is  indicated; 
and  she  should  see  company,  attend  concerts,  read 
a  little,  chaste  romance — if  such  can  be  found — and 
cultivate  music,  drawing,  dancing,  painting  and 
other  light  accomplishments.  Her  diet  should  con- 
sist of  light,  nutritive  and  easily  digested  food  ;  as 
rice,  milk,  farinaceous  substances,  a  very  little  ani- 
mal food,  fresh  fish  and  well  cooked  and  healthy 
vegetables.  Her  drink  should  not  be  stimulant,  but 
tonic ;  as  a  little  wine  and  water,  or  porter  and 
water  or  chocolate.  She  should  abjure  coffee,  tea 
and  spirits.  Let  not  Cupid  be  permitted  to  flutter 
his  wings  in  her  atmosphere  at  this  period,  but  ra- 
ther permit  Minerva  and  Diana  to  preside  over  her 
thoughts,  occupations  and  aspirations.  If  difficul- 
ties or  delay  in  the  fulfillment  of  her  functions  arise, 
she  must,  of  course — through  her  mother — receive  the 
counsel  of  her  physician. 

During  the  menstrual  flow,  the  woman,  what- 
ever her  asre  mav  be,  should  abstain  from  the  use  of 
purgatives,  emetics,  bleedings,  baths  and  exciting 
emotions.  She  should  avoid  washing  in  very  cold 
water,  she  should  avoid  company,  balls,  parties  and 
public  assemblies.  She  should  take  no  exciting  food 
or  drink,  and  especially  avoid  exposure  to  damp  and 
cold.  She  should  avoid  foot-stoves ;  and  at  all 
times,  clothe  and  protect  herself  with  the  strictest 
propriety. 

If  the  discharge  should  at  any  time  be  too  abun- 
dant, she  must  repose  herself  in  the  recumbent  po- 
sition, take  very  little  food,  abstain  from  warm  drinks, 
and  substitute  cold  barley  water,  rice  or  toast  water, 
lemonade,  &c. 

If  she  meets  with  sudden  and  premature  sup- 
pressions, she  must  also  seek  rest,  apply  warmth  to 


HYGIENE   OF   WOMEN.  129 

the  hips  and  thighs,  aud  drink  hot  balm  tea,  for  the 
purpose  of  recalling  the  necessary  evacuation. 

From  the  age  of  puberty  to  that  of  perfect  wo- 
manhood, a  host  of  new  thoughts,  scruples,  impres- 
sions and  sentiments  have  possession  of  her  bosom  ; 
during  this  season  of  expansion,  we  leave  her  to  her 
mother,  in  whom  we  must  also  confide  during  the 
periods  of  "  coming  oiit^''  company,  romance,  love, 
courtship  and  marriage.  She  is  now  a  wife  ! — now 
impressed  with  the  proud  consciousness  that  she 
lives  for  a  new  being,  whom  she  is  to  call  her  child  ! 
During  the  season  of  gestation  she  must  maintain 
the  most  perfect  composure  and  placidity,  cultivate 
the  highest  and  noblest  sentiments,  and  pursue  em- 
ployments and  23leasures  calculated  to  preserve  her- 
self in  perfect  health,  and  stamp  her  offspring  with 
qualities  as  nearly  as  possible  approaching  perfec- 
tion. During  the  nursing  and  rearing  of  her  chil- 
dren, we  leave  her  to  her  happiness  and  solemn 
duties.  But,  as  the  scene  draws  toward  a  close,  as 
dark  clouds  begin  to  gather  round  her,  whose  lining 
is  of  purple,  and  whose  glittering  edges  are  now 
bound  with  black,  and  under  which  rages  the  shat- 
tering and  detracting  storm  which,  is  to  usher  in  her 
days  of  placidity  and  decay,  we  again  olfer  our 
guidance.  The  "  change  of  life^^  affords,  perhaps,  a 
less  flattering  prospect  for  the  future  ;  still,  when  not 
disastrous,  it  is  not  without  its  pure  joys  and  happy 
anticipations.  She  must  now  renounce  the  court  of 
Yenus,  cultivate  the  complacent  affections,  and  re- 
joice in  her  rising  and  risen  offspring.  At  this  pe- 
riod, the  woman  must  renounce  drugs  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, and  seek  to  correct  her  various  disorders  by 
regimen  and  the  simplest  medical  means.  In  her 
case,  the  heroic  medication  is  not  applicable ;  she 
must  avoid  drastic  purges,  emetics,  blisters,  seatons, 
and,  as  far   as  possible,  great  surgical   operations, 


130  HYGIENE   OF    WOMEN. 

LigM  bleedings,  enemata,  leeches,  baths,  tonics,  sup- 
positories, anodynes,  anti-spasmodics,  &c.,  are,  how- 
ever, sometimes  requisite  in  combating  the  unpleas- 
ant symptoms  incident  to  the  "  cTiangeP 

Women  have  smaller  lungs,  are  of  a  more  fra- 
gile texture  and  constitution,  remain  more  in-doors, 
and  are  more  subject  to  consumption,  constipation, 
&c.,  &c.,  than  men  ;  greater  caution  on  their  part  is 
therefore  requisite,  not  only  in  respect  to  diet,  but  to 
all  of  the  hygienic  rules  which  we  have  adverted  to. 

We  would  say  to  ladies,  seek  for  beauty  in  health, 
cleanliness  and  composure  ;  abjure  powders,  paints, 
medicated  soaps,  perfumes,  hair-dyes,  depilatories, 
cosmetics,  vinegars,  washes,  and  all  of  those  false 
appliances,  which  have  not  real  utility  to  recommend 
them. 

Purity  and  beauty  of  complexion  cannot  be 
obtained  by  cosmetics,  such  as  pearl-powder,  rouge, 
medicated  soaps,  &c. ;  all  of  which  injure  the  skhi 
very  materially.  They  are  attainable  only  through 
firm  and  perfect  health,  upon  which  they  absolutely 
depend.  Those,  therefore,  who  desire  to  possess  a 
clear,  transj^arent,  and  beautiful  complexion,  should 
seek  for  it  through  the  proper  means,  rejecting  every 
preparation  which  is  urged  upon  their  attention, 
under  the  pretence  that  it  will  remove  pimples, 
tan,  moth,  and  freckles.  The  only  reliable  cosmetic 
is  pure  water.  If  the  reader  wishes  more  particular 
directions  upon  this  subject,  she  is  referred  to  the 
hygienic  j)i'inciples  laid  down  in  the  third  part  of 
this  work. 


VARIETIES.  131 


YAEIETIES. 

De.  Rush  thought  the  Germans  kept  off  con- 
sumption by  singing  so  much. 

An  Epitaph — "  Died  of  thin  shoes,  January, 
1830." 

A  saying  in  Rome — "  Where  the  sun  enters,  the 
physician  never  does." 

BCouses  with  southern  exposures  are  most  healthy. 

Parents,  examine  school  rooms  before  sending 
your  children  to  school ;  these  rooms  should  be 
above  ground,  dry,  large,  well  lighted,  well  ven- 
tilated, in  a  healthy  neighborhood,  and  not  over- 
crowded with  scholars. 

Do  not  sleep  in  a  basement  room,  or  on  the  first 
floor. 

Do  not  indulge  in  excesses  of  temper  ;  they  ruin 
health  and  make  man  prematurely  old. 

Do  not  wear  abdominal  supporters  or  shoulder 
braces  in  bed,  unless  you  are  constantly  confined 
to  it. 

Invalids  should  always  choose  a  physician  in 
whom  they  can  place  the  most  implicit  confidence, 
as  confidence  assists  materially  in  performing  a  cure. 

If  you  wish  to  avoid  consumption,  become  a 
disciplinarian,  keep  a  bridle  upon  your  passions, 
and  especially  avoid  intemperance  in  exhausting 
indulgences. 

Constipation  is  a  most  dangerous  enemy  to  health. 

Do  not  sleep  in  crowded  apartments. 

Retire  early  and  rise  early  ;  a  long  morning  is 
worth  more  than  a  long  evening. 


132  VARIETIES. 

Spend  a  part  of  each  day  in  amnsements. 

The  influence  of  the  mind,  or  of  the  imagination, 
over  disease  is  astonishing,  but  well  substantiated  ; 
ask  the  homeopathist  his  secret,  and  if  he  answers 
you  truly,  you  will  realise  its  extent. 

The  influence  of  diet  and  regimen  over  disease 
are  truly  wonderful ;  ask  the  hydropathist  his  secret, 
and  then  you  will  realise  that. 

The  effects  of  medicines  upon  the  animal  econo- 
my are  susceptible  of  satisfactory  demonstration  ; 
study  materia  medica  and  general  therapeutics ;  make 
critical  observations  in  practice,  and  then  you  will 
be  convinced  of  facts  of  great  moment. 

Even  physicians  sometimes  oppose  different  me- 
chanical remedies ;  such  as  abdominal  supporters, 
shoulder-braces,  inhaling  tubes,  &c.,  &c.  {excepting^ 
perhaps,  some  favorite  of  their  own),  and  will 
attempt  to  give  learned  and  incomprehensible  reasons 
for  their  disapproval.  While  poor  human  nature 
remains  as  it  is,  scrutiny  into  motives  is  often  quite 
allowable.  It  is  perfectly  a]3parent  to  a  thinking 
mind,  that  while  neither  pill,  poAvder,  plaster  nor  vo- 
luntary care,  can  restore  lost  symmetry,  suitable 
mechanical  remedies  will.  If,  then,  loss  of  sym- 
metry will  occasion  disease,  are  not  these  means,  in 
many  cases,  the  first  to  be  relied  upon  as  preventives 
as  well  as  remedies  ? 

Eat  slowly,  and  masticate  your  food  thoroughly. 

Do  not  take  much  liquid  with  your  meals. 

Rise  from  the  table  with  an  apj)etite. 

Eat  no  hot  bread,  no  veal,  no  sausages,  no  pickles. 

Let  your  repast  be  full,  so  as  to  distend  the  sto- 
mach perfectl}^. 

Do  not  eat  just  before  going  to  bed,  or  between 
meals. 

Do  not  take  your  tea,  puddings,  &c.,  &c.,  too  hot. 

Take  your  meals  at  regular  and  stated  hours. 


VARIETIES.  133 

Do  not  cover  your  head  with  the  sheet  or  quilt, 
while  in  bed. 

Do  not  study  at  night. 

Avoid  sick  rooms  as  much  as  possible. 

Keep  your  feet  warm  and  dry,  your  head  cool, 
and  your  heart  at  rest. 

Avoid  the  inhalation  of  coal  and  other  deleterious 
gases,  dust,  smoke  from  matches,  &c. 

Do  not  neglect  your  teeth  ;  brush  them  night  and 
morning. 

Always  use  a  toothpick  after  eating. 

If  you  accidentally  get  wet,  by  being  caught  in  a 
shower,  strip,  use  a  flesh  brush,  and  j)uton  dry  cloth- 
ing immediately. 

Avoid  sitting  in  damp  shoes  or  boots. 

Avoid  currents  of  air. 

Medicines  will  not  cure  disease,  but  may  assist 
nature  to  do  so. 

The  mind  as  often  requires  a  physician  as  the 
body. 

Do  not  study  or  think  too  much ;  the  mind  re- 
quires rest  as  well  as  the  body. 

The  robust  and  healthy  are  not  nervous,  irritable, 
or  distressingly  susceptible. 

To  become  robust  and  healthy,  exercise  in  the 
open  air,  eschew  liquors,  tea  and  tobacco ;  maintain 
a  good  conscience  toward  God  and  man,  and  eat 
temperately  of  plain,  substantial  food. 

S'early  all  diseases  come  from  intemperance  of 
some  sort,  and  want  of  exercise. 

I  cannot  refrain  from  addressing  a  few  words  to 
the  young  physician.  I  have  been  in  your  situation, 
and  can  sympathise  with  you  in  your  trials,  hopes, 
and  fears.  I  have  toiled  and  waited,  sought  favor 
from  the  great  and  powerful,  and  received  an  abun- 
dance of  promises,  wliich  were  oftentimes  never  ful- 
filled.  I  would  say  to  you,  court  no  favor  from  those 


13i  VARIETIES. 

whose  interest  it  is  to  keep  yon  in  obscurity.  If  God 
has  given  yon  talents,  nnite  to  them  industry,  per-, 
severance,  polished  manners,  true  benevolence,  close 
attention  to  your  profession,  and  faithfulness  to  your 
patients,  l^ever  stoop  from  the  dignity  of  your  ta- 
lents, education,  and  deserts,  and  you  can  rest  as- 
sured that  a  generous  and  discerning  people  are  sure 
to  find  you  out,  and  soon  place  you  in  the  position 
you  are  fitted  to  maintain. 


SHODLDER-BKACES. 


135 


SIIOULDEE-BRACES. 


All  invalids,  authors, 
editors,  public  speakers, 
singers,  students,  schol- 
ars, accountants,  clerks, 
artists,  seamstresses,  me- 
chanics ;  all  people  of  se- 
dentary habits,  and  all 
who  have  acquired  the 
habit  of  stooping,  and  all 
round-shouldered  people 
and  consumptives  should 
wear  shoulder-braces. 

Shoulder-braces   are 
very  much  worn  by  the 
elegant  and  stately  offi- 
cers and  soldiery  of  Eu- 
^A  rope  ;  a  round-shoulder- 
^  j  ed  or  stooping  grenadier 
would  have  been  an  ano- 
/  maly  in  ^Napoleon's  old 
s,   s^uard,  sufficient  to  have 
t^     I'  ^  1^-^P  caused  that  pertinaceous 
\\  "i  r^   hero   no   little    disquie- 
tude. 

Heretofore,  shoulder-braces  have  been  very  little 
worn  in  this  country,  and  this  fact  arose  wholly  from 


Shoulder- Brace. 


136  SHOULDEK-BEACES. 

our  not  having  had  good  paterns ;  those  commonly 
offered  being  made  by  milliners,  corset-makers,  and 
instrument-makers,  who,  knowing  little  or  nothing  of 
anatomy,  of  course  their  bearings  are  wrong,  and 
they  cut  nnder  the  arm,  cause  the  blood  to  settle  in 
the  hands,  are  stiff,  hard,  inelastic  and  uncomfort- 
able ;  incase  the  person  nnnecessarily,  cover  and 
heat  the  spine,  will  not  keep  in  place,  and  confine 
and  compress  the  waist ;  in  fine,  their  objections  so 
far  over-balance  their  ntility,  that  those  who  purchase 
them  are  soon  obliged  to  lay  them  aside. 

Wishing  to  nse  shoulder-braces  extensively  in 
his  practice,  and  not  being  able  to  find  any  perfectly 
free  from  these  objections,  the  author  has  invented 
a  brace  which  he  esteems  very  highly,  as  it  unites 
every  advantage  ;  it  is  light,  elastic,  and  elegant ; 
it  affords  no  additional  covering  to  the  spine,  and 
fits  neatly,  so  as  not  to  wear  or  interfere  with  the 
set  of  the  clothing.  A  glance  at  the  accompanying 
plate  will  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  its  form.  Those 
prepared  for  gentlemen  have  attachments  which 
entirely  supersede  the  necessity  for  wearing  sus- 
penders. They  form  a  perfect  suspender  shoulder- 
brace. 


ATMOSPHERIC   INHALING    TUBES.  137 


ATMOSPHEEIC    INHALIXG    TUBES,    AXD 
EXPANSION  OF  THE  CHEST. 


Atmospheric  Inhaling  Tube, 

These  tubes  are  designed  to  assist  in  our  endea- 
vors to  expand  the  lungs,  open  and  iullj  inflate  their 
folded  or  closed  air  cells,  and  enlarge  the  chest,  so 
as  to  give  ample  room  for  the  constant  action  of  the 
lungs  and  heart,  and  increase  the  capacity  of  the 
former  for  the  consumption  of  air;  to  detach  the 
mucus  from  the  lining  mucous  membrane,  so  as  to 
permit  the  free  egress  of  carbonic  acid  from  the 
blood,  and  favor  the  ingress  of  oxygen.  Animal 
energy,  animal  electricity,  nervous  energy,  or  ani- 
mal contractility  or  excitability,  (the  reader  may 
take  his  choice  of  terms,)  is  derived  from  the  air  by 
respiration,  and  therefore  depends — in  intensity  or 
amount — upon  the  quantity  of  pure  air  consumed. 
The  quantity  of  air  consumed,  depends,  of  course, 
upon  the  capacity  and  action  of  the  lungs,  upon  the 
action  of  the  heart  and  arteries,  and  on  the  perfec- 
tion of  contact  between  the  blood  in  the  lungs  and 
the  air.  Men  are  stronger  than  women,  and  why? 
Because  they  possess  larger  chests,  larger  luno^s,  and 
consume  more  air;  from  which  the  lungs  and  blood 
elaborate,  manufacture  or  extract  oxygen,  electricity 
or  nervous  energy,  and  which  gives  to  the  muscular 


138  ATMOSPHERIC    INHALING   TUBES. 

system  contractility  or  irritability ;  in  other  words, 
power  to  act.  The  blood — or  a  constituent  of  the 
blood — is  the  vehicle  which  conveys  this  power 
from  the  lungs  to  the  brain,  and  other  parts  of  the 
nervous  system,  and  to  the  muscular  system.  Animal 
action,  therefore,  depends  entirely  upon  electricity, 
or  oxygen,  or  a  principle  derive^  from  atmospheric 
air.  If  this  principle  is  entirely  withheld,  action 
ceases,  and  death  immediately  ensues.  If  it  be 
partly  withheld,  as  is  the  case  with  people  afflicted 
with  catarrh  of  tlie  lungs,  with  the  sedentary;  w^ith 
those  confined  to  heated  and  impure  apartments  ; 
wdth  those  whose  lungs,  from  habits  of  stooj^ing  or 
tio;ht  lacino\  wearino-  tio'ht  clothino;,  or  from  loss  of 
symmetry,  have  been  compressed  and  their  air  cells 
closed,  folded,  or  collapsed,  the  power  of  action  is 
diminished  ;  debility  and  effeminacy  follow,  and  in 
their  train,  disease  creeps  insidiously  into  dif- 
ferent organs  of  the  system.  Proper  inhaling  tubes, 
not  only  assist  nature  in  opening  and  expanding  the 
air  cells,  but  they  attenuate,  or  make  thin  the  pari- 
etes  or  cell  walls,  both  preventing  curing  and  conges- 
tions and  thickening  of  these  walls.  Tuherdes  can- 
Qiot  form  in  the  lungs^  vntJwut  this  congestion  and 
thickening.  So  long^  therefrre^  as  the  lungs  are 
Jcejpt  expanded^  the  walls  of  the  cells  kept  thin  andj 
congestions  prevented^  we  can  with  perfect  confidence 
and  safety  defy  tubercles  and  consumption.  And 
further,  cold  in  the  system — by  which  I  mean  the 
absence  of  caloric — heat — is  a  great  provocative  of 
consumption  ;  it  is  therefore  requisite  to  keep  up  the 
natural  fires  of  the  system,  not  only  to  keep  the 
enemy  at  bay,  but  to  expel  him  when  he  has  once 
gained  an  ascendency.  These  fires  are  kept  con- 
stantly burning  within  us,  and  are  fed  by  the  carbon 
which  is  contained  in  our  food,  and  the  oxygen  which 
we  breathe  into  our  system  through  the  lungs  ;  these 


ATMOSPHERIC   INHALING   TUBES.  139 

two  principles  meet  in  every  part  of  the  system,  and 
their  contact  canses  their  immediate  combustion, 
and  the  evolvement  of  heat ;  this  heat  is  the  natu- 
ral warmth  of  the  body.  It  follows,  then,  that  when 
the  lungs  are  diseased  or  collapsed,  the  amount  of 
air  inhaled,  and  oxygen  therefrom  extracted,  is  dimi- 
nished, and  the  fires  get  low  ;  this  accoimts  for  the 
constant  chill  which  consumptives  so  much  complain 
of.  If  the  amount  of  food  is  diminished,  of  course 
less  carbon  is  supplied,  and  the  result  would  be  iden- 
tical. This  is  proved  by  the  fact  of  our  getting 
chillv  if  v/e  2;o  too  lono^  without  food  :  who  has  not 
exj)erienced  the  fortifying  effects -of  a  hearty  break- 
ftist  against  the  cold  ?  Men  drink  brandy  and  other 
liquors  to  keep  the  cold  out ;  and  in  imputing  this 
efiect  they  are  quite  right ;  for  liquors  contain  an. 
excess  of  carbon,  and  cause  the  systemic  fires  to 
flash  up  afresh  for  a  while,  but  the  evil  is,  that  they 
so  soon  die  down,  and  require  more  fuel ;  while  the 
carbon  from  a  good  dinner  will  burn  six  or  seven 
hours,  imparting  a  genial  and  substantial  warmth  to 
the  system.  Of  course  it  will  be  plain  to  every  per- 
son, that  the  colder  the  weather,  and  the  more  we 
expose  ourseh^es,  the  more  food  we  require  to  keep 
us  warm.  It  is  quite  plain,  also,  that  the  inhaling 
tube  which  expands  the  lungs,  and  increases  their 
capacity  for  air,  from  w^hich  oxygen  is  extracted,  is 
also  of  inestimable  service  in  this  particular.  The 
wdiole  rationale,  modus  operandi,  and  philosophy  of 
inhaling  tubes  may  be  derived  from  the  above,  if 
studied  carefully  and  understandingly.  The  intel- 
ligent reader  will  at  once  perceive  and  advocate 
their  utility  and  employment.  They  must  be  used 
under  proper  restrictions.  People  who  have  heart 
diseases,  and  those  inclined  to  apoplexy  or  giddi- 
ness, sliould  use  them  with  the  greatest  caution. 


140  ABDOMINAL  SUPFOETEBS* 


ABDOMIKAL  SUPPOETEES. 


FALLmG  OF  THE  BOWELS. 


Abdominal  Supporter. 

The  author  knowing  that  many  people  do  not 
perfectly  nnderstand  the  indications  which  call  for 
the  employment  of  these  instruments,  the  indica- 
tions which  they  answer,  or  the  purposes  which  they 
subserve,  the  rationale  of  their  action,  and  what  a 
perfect  supporter  should  be,  wliat  it  should  not  be, 
and  tiow  it  should  act,  will  give  his  readers — as 
perspicuously  as  possible — the  necessary  informa- 
tion. To  do  this  fully,  may  involve  some  slight  re- 
petition of  remarks  which  have  been  made  while 
other  topics  were  under  consideration  ;  these  are  un- 
avoidable in  a  work  of  this  character.  Two  men 
may  meet,  though  they  may  be  travelling  on  entirely 
different  or  separate  roads — for  roads  unavoidably 
cross  each  other. 

From  various  causes,  the  abdominal  muscles  or 


ABDOMINAL  SUPPORTERS.  14l 

belts,  wliich  cover  the  front  part  of  the  abdomen  and 
pelvis,  and  which  assist  in  holding  the  contents  of 
the  abdomen  in  their  proper  places,  loose  their  con- 
tractility and  become  relaxed — stretched — permit- 
ting the  abdominal  viscera  to  gravitate — fall — down- 
wards and  outwards.  This  loss  of  symmetry — dis- 
placement— occasions  the  displacement  of  other  or- 
gans and  is  a  fruitful  cause  of  disease.  It  causes 
constipation,  ruptures,  dyspeptic  symptoms,  pains  in 
the  back,  abdomen,  stomach,  heart,  chest  and 
shoulders  ;  weakness  of  the  chest,  a  sinking,  drag- 
ging, hollow  feeling  about  the  stomach  ;  liver  and 
kidney  complaints,  piles,  diarrhea,  seminal  weak- 
ness, barrenness,  and  all  female  diseases  ;  as  pro- 
lapsus uteri — falling  of  the  womb — fluor  albus — 
whites — &c.,  &c.  The  intestines  and  peritoneum — 
lining  membrane  of  the  abdomen — fall  upon  the 
womb  and  press  it  out  of  place ;  otherwise  this  organ 
would  seldom  be  prolajDsed.  The  liver,  stomach,  and 
spleen  being  situated  above  the  intestines  and  being 
partly  held  in  position  by  them,  of  course  participate 
in  their  gravitating  or  falling  movement.  These  in 
their  turn,  affording  in  health,  partial  support  to  the 
diaphragm,  lungs,  (fee,  j)ermit — in  cases  of  falling 
of  the  bowels — the  parts  which  also  aid  in  holding 
them  in  position,  to  be  put  upon  an  nnnatural  stretch ; 
and  thus  the  whole  system  is,  by  loss  of  symmetry, 
deranged  in  action  and  involved  slowly  and  insi- 
diously in  disease. 

Abdominal  Supporters  are  designed  to  supply 
that  support  to  the  abdomen  and  its  contents  which 
the  abdominal  muscles,  in  their  relaxed  and  debili- 
tated condition,  cannot  give,  and  to  restore  to  these 
muscles  their  contractility,  strength,  and  tone.  To 
answer  these  ends  they  must  be  of  the  right  con- 
struction and  fit  the  person  absolutely.  They  should 
not  press  upon  the  spine  or  cover  it  so  as  to  heat  it. 


14r2  ABDOMINAL    SUPPORTERS. 

They  should  be  very  light,  of  sufficient  power  to 
sustain  the  incumbent  viscera,  perfectly  adapted  to 
the  anatomy  of  the  pelvis,  of  a  construction  which 
will  not  interfere  with  the  clothing,  locomotion,  or 
the  patient's  comfort :  should  adapt  themselves  to 
the  motion  of  the  person  while  walking ;  should 
possess  graduating  power  ;  should  press  upward  and 
inward  on  each  side  of  the  low^er  part  of  the  abdo- 
men, between  the  two  hip  bones  ;  should  not  be  im- 
movably joined  in  front,  for  many  reasons  /  should 
not  press  in  the  middle  of  the  abdomen  over  the 
bladder ;  should  be  durable  and  not  too  expensive. 
The  author  thinks  his  supporters  exactl}^  answer  the 
above  descriptioii ;  they  give  the  most  perfect  satis- 
faction to  his  numerous  patients,  and  meet  with  the 
entire  approbation  of  his  ]3rofessional  brethren. 
They  are  readily  convertable  into  supporter  trusses, 
which,  in  the  author's  opinion,  are  the  only  instru- 
ments applicable  in  certain  forms  of  hernia — rupture. 
In  some  forms  of  hernia,  a  supporter  truss  is  quite 
inapplicable ;  to  meet  such  cases  the  author  has  in- 
vented a  truss  which  has  a  wide  range  of  application, 
and  which  in  many  cases  effects  radical  and  perma- 
nent cures. 

Abdominal  supporters  are  applicable  in  nearly 
all  cases  of  diseased  lungs ;  absolutely  indispensable 
in  consumption,  and  in  female  complaints,  and  of 
infinite  service  in  dyspepsia^  constipation,  chronic 
diarrhea,  piles,  liver,  kidney  and  heart  diseases  ; 
weak  chest,  weak  back,  loss  of  appetite,  loss  of  voice, 
corpulency,  cancer  of  the  stomach,  &c.,  (fee.  Ladies 
during  pregnancy  and  after  confinement  find  great 
benefit  from  their  employment ;  and  people  whose 
occupation  obliges  them  to  remain  during  a  great 
part  of  the  day  in  the  upright  position,  as  clerks  in 
stores,  and  others,  find  them  invaluable.  They  are 
readily  and  easily  applied,  and  worn  with  perfect 


ABDOMINAL   SLU'POKTEES.  143 

comfort ;  the  two  pads  connected  by  the  lacer,  arc 
worn  in  front,  between  the  two  hip  bones  or  ilii,  and 
just  above  the  cross  bone  or  pubis.  The  two  steel 
springs  pass  up  nearly  or  quite  to  the  waist,  and 
round  the  person  ;  the  four  round  pads  attached  to 
the  posterior  end  of  the  springs  take  their  position 
two  on  each  side  of  the  sj)ine,  upon  the  large  mus- 
cles of  the  back — the  latissimus  dorsi — and  the 
other  two  in  the  gluteal  region,  upon  the  gluteus 
maximus.  Small  leather  straps  are  attached  to  these 
pads,  which  are  to  be  fastened  across  from  one  to  the 
other,  after  the  instrument  has  been  adjusted. 

Some  physicians,  even  some  who  enjoy  good  pro- 
fessional reputations,  and  which  reputations  are,  in 
most  respects,  w^ell  deserved,  persist  in  advising,  pjre- 
scribing,  and  applying,  almost  indiscriminately,  the 
pessary  ;  a  practice  fully  as  repugnant  to  science  as 
it  possibly  can  be  to  the  feelings  of  the  most  delicate 
lady;  and  which  is  as  useless  and  injurious  in  most 
cases,  as  it  is  repugnant.  I^o  one  man  can  be  great 
in  everything  !  nor  perhaps  in  many  things ;  every 
man  has  his  hobby,  and  this  very  hobby  is  often 
his  weak  point.  Some  physicians  make  hobbies  of 
pessaries ;  and  though  they  may  be  superior  men, 
in  some  respects,  in  this — science  and  nature  deplore 
their  weakness.  But,  it  may  be  asked,  "  Will  not  a 
j)essary  hold  up  the  womb?"  certainly  it  will,  and 
it  will  do  more  ;  it  will  both  hold  up  the  womb  and 
the  weight  of  the  intestines  and  peritoneum,  which 
fall  upon  it  and  press  it  down.  The  intelligent 
reader  will  at  once  concede,  that  the  only  ration?J 
procedure  in  such  a  case,  would  be  to  lift  the  ab- 
dominal viscera,  intestines,  &c.,  off  from  the  womb  ; 
suppose  tliem%  in  their  proper  place,  and  permit  the 
womb,with  its  powerful  ligaments,  to  find  the  position 
wliich  nature  assigned  it,  and  there  remain,  ^o 
relaxation   of  its   ligaments,  r.or   of  the  soft  parts 


144  ABDOMINAL   SUPPORTERS, 

which  help  to  hold  the  womb  in  position,  would  ever 
cause  it  to  fall.  I  contend  that  gravitation  of  the 
abdominal  viscera  is  the  only  cause,  in  ninety-nine 
cases  in  every  hundred,  of  falling  of  the  womb;  and 
consequently,  the  only  rational  treatment  consists  in 
the  application  of  a  suitable  abdominal  supporter. 
It  has  been  my  happiness  to  cure  so  many  ladies  of 
this  distressing  complaint  with  this  instrument  alone, 
who  had  in  vain  sought  relief  from  other  sources, 
that  on  this  point  I  am  impatient  of  contradiction. 
I  do  employ  pessaries,  in  some  cases  for  a  short 
time,  but  I  iirst  lift  and  support  the  superincumbent 
weight  of  the  contents  of  the  abdomen,  by  means  of 
an  abdominal  supporter,  and  keep  my  patient  a  short 
time  in  the  recumbent  position,  which  is  usually 
sufficient  to  effect  a  cure ;  but,  there  are  cases  in 
which  the  womb  has  been  prolapsed  for  a  great 
length  of  time,  where  pessaries  worn  for  a  short 
period,  materially  assist  in  attaining  our  object. 
But  the  instrument  should  never  be  used  until  the 
patient,  has  a  supporter  adjusted,  ortherwise  the 
difficulty  is  increased  by  making  the  womb  support 
the  bowels.  This  latter  course  is  a  frequent  cause  of 
cancer  of  the  womb. 

It  is  contended  by  some  gentlemen  in  the  pro- 
fession, that  abdominal  supporters  give  no  sup- 
port to  the  womb,  in  cases  of  falling  down  or  out  of 
that  organ.  It  is  quite  true,  they  do  not  give  the 
least  support  to  the  womb.  But  they  do  infinitely 
nnore  and  hetter ',  they  lift  from  that  organ  the 
weight  of  the  intestines  and  peritoneum,  which  fall 
upon  it,  and  push  it  out  of  position  ;  (otherwise  falling 
of  the  womb  would  seldom  occur.)  Supporters  thus 
enable  nature  to  restore  the  organ  to  its  j)roper  position, 
and  keep  it  there.  In  its  natural  and  healthy  state,  it  is 
a  very  small  organ,  not  weighing,  in  most  instances, 
more  than  from  one  ounce  and  a  half  to  three  ounces. 


ABDOMINAL  SUPPORTERS.  145 

and  can  never,  by  its  own  weight,  overcome  the  re- 
sistence  of  parts  which  nature  designed  should  hold 
it  in  position.  The  so-called  supporters,  Avhich  are 
mere  lacing  belts,  without  steel  springs  and  proper 
pads  are  absolutely  and  positively  worse  than  use- 
less, as  many  ladies  daily  testify  who  have  tried 
them.  The  same  remarks  are  applicable  to  many 
which  are  constructed  with  sj^rings  and  pads.  The 
springs  of  which,  instead  of  rising  over  the  hips  as 
they  should  do,  to  answer  the  indications,  pass  round 
the  hi^^s,  and  merely  press  the  contents  of  the 
abdomen  back  upon  the  spine,  whereas  they  should 
be  lifted  upward  and  inward ;  the  displacement 
being  always  downward  and  outward.  It  is  quite  a 
difficult  task  to  make  a  good  drawing  of  an  abdo- 
minal supporter,  and  still  more  difficult  to  obtain 
from  a  drawing  a  satisfactory  knowledge  of  the 
instrument.  The  accoirjDanying  cut  is  quite  faulty. 
To  see  the  instrument  itself,  is  the  only  reliable  mode 
of  judging  of  its  advantages. 


146  PILES. 


PILES. 

Syn. — HcemorrJioids. — Fici  Condylomata. 

Piles  are  tumors,  usually  of  a  violent  color,  whicK 
form  within  and  without  the  sphincter  ani,  but  most- 
ly on  the  mucous  and  cellular  coat  of  the  rectum 
within  the  sphincter ;  they  are  also  sometimes  found 
in  and  around  the  genital  organs  of  Avomen.  These 
tumors  are  usually  of  a  spongy  nature ;  but  they 
are  sometimes  dry,  hard  or  fleshy,  vascular  or  erec- 
tile, and  when  compressed  by  the  sphincter  ani,  they 
are  exquisitely  sensible.  They  are  produced  by  the 
dilitation  or  stretching  of  the  hsemorrhoidal  veins ; 
also,  by  the  formation  of  cysts  from  the  cellular  coat 
of  the  rectum.  Piles  may  be  arranged  under  the 
distinctive  appellations  of  hlind.^  hleeding^  mucous^ 
and  excrescential.  They  are  hlind  when  they  are 
altogether  internal,  and  consist  of  nothing  more  than 
varicose — enlarged — veins,  with  slight  thickening  of 
the  internal  membra^ne  of  the  intestine.  JBleeding^ 
when,  from  excoriation  caused  by  constriction,  stric- 
ture, or  some  incidental  violence,  they  are  attended 
by  hsemorrhage.  Mucous^  when  the  mucous  follicles 
of  the  rectum  are  abraded,  scraped  or  galled,  and 
pour  out  mucus.  Excrescential^  when  they  form 
fleshy  excrescenses,  either  internal  or  external  to  the 
sphincter. 

Causes. — The  sedentary  are  most  subject  to  j)iles; 
and  constijpation  of  the  howels.,  is  by  far  the  most 


PILES.  147 

prominent  and  frequent  cause.  Tlie  other  causes 
are,  pregnancy,  straining  at  stool,  severe  exercise  on 
horseback,  plethora  of  the  blood  vessels,  congestion 
or  torpidity  of  the  liver,  the  suppression  of  habitual 
discharges,  and  hereditary  predisposition ;  frequent 
use  of  aloetic  purges,  suppositories,  and  injections  ; 
1  ong  continuance  in  the  erect  posture,  passage  of 
hard  or  acrid  fcecal  mat':er,  venereal  excesses,  and 
inflammations. 

Symptoms. — Difficult  and  painftd  defecation,  an 
insupportable  stinging  or  burning  pain,  and  distress- 
ing sensation  about  the  anus  after  the  stool,  uneasi- 
ness and  pains  in  the  back  and  loins,  inability  to 
stand,  sit,  or  exercise ;  ill  health,  costiveness,  de- 
pression of  spirits,  &c.,  &c. 

Treatment. — Surgeons  usually  assert,  that  all 
medication  in  piles  is  merely  palliative  ;  and  that 
the  Itnife  and  the  ligature  are  the  ^?2Z?/ radical  means 
of  cure.  This  is  not  my  belief,  nor  is  it  my  exj^eri- 
ence.  I  am  as  certain,  as  I  am  of  any  fact  of  which 
my  mind  takes  cognizance,  that  the  piles  are  easily, 
readily  and  radically  cured  by  scientific  medication, 
and  proper  regimen.  In  causes  of  bleeding  piles  of 
long  standing,  in  patients  who  are  predisposed  to 
consumption,  pulmonary  hsemorrhage,  apoplexy, 
&c.,  it  would  not  be  proper,  nor  safe  to  institute  at 
once  a  radical  treatment ;  because,  the  system,  having 
accustomed  itself  to  the  discharge,  and  the  increased 
elaboration  of  blood  to  supply  the  waste,  would  be- 
come over-charged,  and  the  result  would  probably 
be  unfavorable. 

The  means  at  our  command  for  the  cure  of  piles, 
are,  removal  of  the  causes,  rest  in  the  horizontal  po- 
sition, spare  diet,  the  internal  administration  of  the 
balsam  copaibEe,  issues,  leeches,  poultices,  astringent 
injections,  and  injections  of  cold  water;  mild  laxa- 
tives, general  blood-letting,  the  use  of  the  anguen- 


14:8  PILES. 

turn  gallge  compositum,  also  the  extracts  of  strarao- 
nium  and  belladonna;  opium  ointments,  external 
sponging  with  cold  water,  alterative  pills,  bougies, 
astringents  given  by  the  month,  and  the  avoidance 
of  all  highly  seasoned  food,  liquors  and  coffee.  In 
all  cases  of  rigid  constriction  of  the  sphincter  ani, 
I  find  that  the  employment  of  fine,  smooth  bougies, 
of  different  sizes,  is  indispensable  to  a  radical  cure. 

The  disease  is  very  common,  and  is  probably 
productive  of  more  real  suffering  and  inconvenience, 
than  attends  any  malady  incident  to  patients  who 
keep  about,  and  are  not  considered  sick.  Many 
young  people  and  women,  from  shame  and  motives  of 
delicacy,  suffer  for  months  and  years,  a  secret  agony, 
which  can  only  be  realized  by  themselves.  This  is 
wholly  unnecessary ;  they  should,  at  the  very  com- 
mencement of  this  disease,  place  confidence  in  a 
physician,  possessed  of  a  high  tone  of  character, 
and  the  requisite  skill  to  relieve  them,  and  freely 
confide  to  him  their  afflictions.  If  the  disease  is 
permitted  to  become  chronic,  and  is  still  neglected, 
or  only  treated  by  the  common  palliatives,  it  is  like- 
ly to  assume  a  severe  form  at  any  moment ;  and 
finally  to  become  so  grave,  as  to  require  a  surgical 
operation  of  the  severest  character,  and  which 
most  people,  and  especially  young  and  delicate  fe- 
males, shrink  from  with  indescribable  fear,  shame 
and  horror  1 


EUPTUEE.  149 


RUPTUEE. 

Syn. — Hernia, 

Common  hernia  consists  of  a  protrusion  of  some 
part  of  an  intestine,  or  of  some  of  the  other  abdomi- 
nal viscera,  covered  by  a  portion  of  the  lining  mem- 
brane of  the  abdominal  cavity,  called  the  peritoneum, 
through  the  natural  apertures,  or  ajDertures  formed 
by  violence,  in  the  muscular  or  tendinous  walls  of 
the  abdomen,  forming  a  kind  of  sack.  The  hernial 
tumors  most  frequently  make  their  appearance  iu 
the  groin ;  but  they  also  occur  at  the  naval,  on  the 
upper  part  of  the  thigh,  on  almost  any  part  of  the 
anterior  portion  of  the  abdomen ;  at  the  labia  pu- 
dendi,  in  the  scrotum,  &c.,  &c.  There  are  many 
kinds  of  hernia,  which  are  designated  by  appella- 
tions indicative  of  the  contents  of  the  hernial  sack, 
and  of  the  location  of  the  tumor  ;  these  distinctions 
are  instituted  for  the  convenience  of  the  profession, 
and  are  not  pertinent  to  the  author's  present  pur- 
pose. 

It  has  been  estimated  that  as  many  as  one-eighth 
of  the  individuals  composing  the  human  family, 
have  a  rupture  ;  but  it  is  my  impression  that  the  es- 
timate comprises  far  too  large  a  proportion. 

Causes. — The  predisposing  causes  are,  an  heredi- 
tary conformation,  and  an  unnatural  laxity  of  the 
tissues  about  the  abdominal  rings,  &c.     The  direct 


150  RUPTURE. 

causes  are,  violent  muscular  exertions  of  any  kind, 
as  jumping,  running,  lifting,  playing  upon  wind  in- 
struments, crying,  parturition,  retching  while  vomit- 
ing, sudden  contractions  of  the  muscles  while  falling, 
or  endeavouring  to  save  one'self  from  falling,  severe 
exercise  on  horseback,  and  long  continuance  in  the 
upright  position,  &c.,  &c. 

Treatment. — Reducible  hernia  is  now  universally 
treated  by  the  adjustment  of  a  truss ;  these  instru- 
ments vary  in  their  construction,  with  the  inventive 
genius  of  many  physicians,  and  a  host  of  surgical- 
instrument  makers.  A  physician  is  the  only  suitable 
person  to  apply  them,  as  he  best  understands  the 
anatomy  of  the  parts,  and  the  indications  which 
present  in  different  cases.  A  good  truss,  properly 
fitted  at  an  early  period,  will  cu7''e  the  rupture ;  but, 
as  they  are  usually  worn,  they  but  serve  to  relieve 
and  save  the  patient  from  violent  symptoms,  by 
keeping  the  tumor  partially  reduced.  On  the  first 
accession  of  hernia,  the  patient  should  wear  a  truss 
that  will  cause  a  slight  inflammation  about  the  ring 
or  hernial  orifice  ;  whereby  coagulable  lymph  is 
thrown  out,  and  the  ruptured  tissues  thereby  agglu- 
tinated. I  do  not  find  much  difficulty  in  radically 
curing  ruptures  with  the  trusses  with  which  I  furnish 
my  patients ;  they  are  constructed  with  steel  springs, 
which  are  galvanized  to  prevent  their  rusting,  and 
furnished  with  pads,  which  are  moveable,  and  sus- 
ceptible of  being  perfectly  adapted  to  the  require- 
ments of  different  cases.  They  are  covered  with 
leather,  are  light,  elastic,  comfortable ;  and  do  not  at 
all  interfere  v/ith  the  clothing,  or  impede  walking  or 
any  other  exercise. 

Strangulated  hernia  is  exceedingly  dangerous, 
and  if  not  reduced  within  a  few  days,  necessarily 
causes  death.  The  proper  and  most  effectual  means 
of'  procuring  a  reduction  are,  a  surgical  operation, 


EUPTURE.  151 

by  whicli  the  aperture  is  enlarged  so  as  to  permit 
the  return  of  the  sack;  tobacco  injections,  which 
produce  relaxation  of  the  abdominal  belts  and  parts 
about  the  ring  or  aperture,  and  by  taxis  ;  by  which 
is  understood,  the  manipulations  of  the  physician  in 
endeavoring  to  return  the  protruding  viscus.  Infants 
are  frequently  ruptured  at  the  naval ;  they  are  easily 
and  readily  cured  by  the  adjustment  of  a  suitable 
umbilical  truss. 


CARD  TO  IKVALIDS. 


In  all  cases  of  disease  of  the  lungs,  heart  and 
throat,  it  is  imperative  that  the  patient  should  have 
his  chest,  &c.,  examined  by  a  physician  skilled  in 
auscultation  and  j)ercussion ;  but  as  such  opportu- 
nities are  not  always  within  the  reach  of  the  patient, 
the  author  suggests  that  any  who  are  thus  situated, 
should  write  him  as  clear  and  perfect  an  account  as 
possible  of  their  indisposition,  stating  also,  their 
ages,  occupations,  habits,  &c.,  <&c,,  upon  the  receipt 
of  which,  he  will  study  their  cases  carefully,  and 
write  back  his  opinion,  free  of  charge.  A  prompt 
answer  will  be  returned. 

To  insure  attention,  all  letters  must,  of  course,  be 
post-paid. 

Answers  to  the  following  questions,  together  with 
the  invalid's  own  account  (or  his  or  her  friend's  ac- 
count) of  the  case  will  greatly  assist  in  making  out 
clearly  what  the  disease  is,  which  must  be  the  first 
step  toward  successful  treatment. 

First,  please  to  give  name,  residence,  age  and 
occupation.  State  wiiere  born  and  reared ;  whether 
married  or  single ;  strong  or  delicate  constitution ; 
lean  or  fieshy ;  erect  or  stoop -shouldered ;  color  of 
hair  and  eyes,  and  what  complexion. 


CAP.D   TO    INVALIDS.  153 

Questions. — How  long  have  yon  been  ill?  are 
you  in  indigent  or  easy  circumstances  ?  are  you  from 
a  consumptive  family  ?  what  relations  have  you  lost 
by  consumption  ?  have  you  any  skin  disease  ?  do  you 
cough  ?  do  you  expectorate  or  spit  up  ?  if  so,  what  is 
the  appearance  of  the  expectoration  ?  have  you  ever 
coughed  up  blood  ?  do  you  sweat  at  night  ?  have  you 
diarrhea?  are  you  costive?  have  you  piles?  have 
you  pain  in  the  chest,  side  or  in  any  part  ?  are  you 
emaciated  ?  have  you  sore  throat  ?  short  breath  or 
difficulty  of  breathing  ?  are  you  hoarse  ?  is  your 
voice  weak  ?  is  your  uvula — palate — elongated  ?  are 
you  nervous  ?  are  your  feet  habitually  cold  ?  have 
you  any  fever?  have  you  had  any  chills?  is  your 
appetite  good  ?  does  your  food  agree  with  you  ? 
have  you  falling  of  the  bowels  ?  have  you  a  w^eak, 
hollow  feeling  in  the  breast  or  stomach  ?  have  you  a 
feeling  of  weight  in  the  chest  ?  have  you  any  uri- 
nary disease  ?  If  a  lady ;  are  you  married  ?  how 
many  children  have  you  had  ?  what  is  the  age  of  the 
youngest  ?  how  many  miscarriages  have  you  had  ? 
have  you  always  had  a  good  getting  up  after  confine- 
ment? have  you  any  female  complaints,  such  as 
falling  of  the  womb,  whites,  or  dysmenorrhoea,  &c.  ? 
are  you  regular  ?  have  you  always  nursed  your 
children  ? 

A  prompt  answer  will  be  returned. 


CASES. 


The  reader  is  presented  with  a  few  cases,  wMch 
are  reported  to  evidence  the  truth  of  the  position 
which  I  have  taken  in  regard  to  the  curability  of 
consumption  in  its  first  stage,  and  often  in  its  second 
and  third  stages,  and  of  throat  diseases  in  every 
stage.  I  have  selected  the  cases  of  a  few  people  of 
the  highest  respectability,  who,  of  course,  are  not 
willing  to  have  their  names  published  in  full  to  the 
world  as  invalids.  I  have  therefore  used  their  ini- 
tials in  most  cases.  I  have  had  a  dread  of  swelling 
this  work  with  matter  which  might  not  command 
the  attention  of  my  readers,  and  have  therefore 
made  but  few  reports,  and  those  as  brief  as  is.  prac- 
ticable. I  am,  however,  permitted  to  refer  the  afflic- 
ted who  call  on  me,  to  many  of  my  patients,  whom 
it  has  been  my  delight  and  good  fortune  to  benefit. 


A  CASE    OF   CONSUMPTION   IN   THE  SECOND  STAGE,  WHICH 
YIELDED   TO    TREATMENT. 

Mr.  S.  D.,  of  Chesnut  Hill,  Pa.,  aged  forty-five, 
consulted  me  on  the  seventh  of  June,  1850.  Mr.  D. 
had  lost  two  brothers  by  consumption,  and  had  been 
ill  himself  for  sixteen  months.     His  disease  com- 


CASES.  155 

menced,  as  lie  informed  me,  with  a  violent  cold  and 
pleurisy ;  these  were  succeeded  by  a  dull  pain  in  the 
left  side  of  his  chest,  violent  cough,  copious  j^urulent 
expectoration,   night   sw^eats,   extreme   emaciation, 
nervousness  and  irritability  of  temper,  debility  and 
distressing  lassitude.     On  examining  his  lungs,  aus- 
cultation revealed  sounds  which  plainly  indicated 
tubercles  in  his  right  lung,  in  a  state  of  softening. 
His  left  lung  was  also  slightly  affected.    A  peculiar- 
ity in  his  case  was,  that  w^hile  he  had  felt  the  most 
pain  on  the  left  side,  his  right  lung  was  the  most 
diseased.     He  informed  me  that  he  had  taken  of  all 
the  different  lauded  nostrums  of  the  day ;  none  of 
which,  of  course,  gave  him  the  least  relief,  but  in 
his  opinion  did  him  much  injury.     His  pulse  had 
been  constantly  at  one  hundred.     I  had  no  hope  of 
curing  him  and  offered  him  palliatim  medicines  ; 
these  he  at  once  rejected,  and  said  that  he  wished  to 
'be^  and  must  le^  cured!     When  I  find  such  determi- 
nation in  a  patient,  however  bad  his  case  may  be, 
I  am  immediately  excited  to  attempt  a  cure  ;  I  ac- 
cordingly put  a  shoulder-brace  and  supporter  upon 
him,  gave  him  an  inhaling  tube,  and  suitable  medi- 
cines and  directions.     During  the  first  few  weeks, 
scarcely  any  change  was  discernable  in  his  disease ; 
but,  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  July,  when  he  came  to 
town  for  the  sixth  time  to  see  me,  there  was  an  evi- 
dent mitigation  in  his  symptoms  ;  he  was  encouraged 
and   continued   to   use  his  remedies.     During  the 
month  of  August,  he  suffered  from  an  attack  of  inflam- 
mation of  the  spleen,   which  required   active  and 
prompt  treatment,  but  his  consumptive  symptoms 
continued  to  mend  ;  on  the  twenty-sixth  of  August, 
his  cough  had  entirely  left  him  ;  his  pulse  was  down 
to  eighty,  his  expectoration  was  but  slight,  he  had 
gained  flesh,  and  was  in  high  spirits. 

Sept.  4th.    He  called,  vastly  improved  in  health.^ 


156  CASES. 

looks,  and  strength.  He  informed  me  that  he  was 
in  his  usual  flesh,  having  gained  twenty-five  pounds, 
and  had  not  the  slightest  cough.  On  again  apply- 
ing my  ear  to  his  chest,  I  was  astonished  to  find 
that  his  lungs  gave  everywhere  the  natural  vesicular 
murmur,  which  is  indicative  of  the  perfect  health  of 
those  organs.  This  gentleman's  determination,  con- 
fidence, and  indefatigable  perseverance  in  the  use  of 
his  remedies,  has,  with  the  blessings  of  a  kind  Pro- 
vidence on  the  means  prescribed,  completely  tri- 
umphed over  an  almost  hopeless  sickness.  It  is  to 
be  hoped,  that  his  noble  and  triumphant  example 
will  encourage  the  desponding  invalid. 

During  the  subsequent  winter,  I  received  a  letter 
from  him,  in  which  he  informed  me,  with  the  deep- 
est expressions  of  gratitude,  that  he  was  in  excellent 
health. 


CASE  OF  CONSUMPTION. 

Miss  p.  Y.,  of  Edgemont  township,  Delaware 
County,  Pa.,  aged  25,  came  to  the  city  to  consult  me 
respecting  her  health,  on  the  19th  of  June,  1850. 
Miss  Y.  had  not  been  well  since  she  left  her  boarding- 
school,  more  than  six  years  before.  She  complained 
to  me  of  debility,  headache,  palpitation  of  the  heart, 
difiiculty  in  breathing,  short  breath,  pain  in  the 
chest,  constriction  across  the  chest,  a  feeling  of 
weight  in  the  chest,  violent  cough  and  expectoration, 
fever,  night  sweats,  and  great  emaciation.  Her 
father,  who  accompanied  her,  told  me,  confidentially, 
that  disappointment  and  grief,  he  thought,  had  been 
active  agents  in  ruining  her  health.  I  found  her 
lungs  extensively  diseased,  her  pulse  112  ;  in  fact,  I 
looked  U2:)on  the  case  to  be  almost  hopeless ;  but  she 


CASES.  157 

seized  upon  the  means  of  recovering  lier  health  with 
so  much  hope  and  earnestness,  and  followed  my  di- 
rections with  such  joyful  precision,  that  it  almost 
seemed  to  me  that  her  "  faith  made  her  whole."  On 
the  third  of  July  she  came  in  to  see  me,  accompanied 
by  a  younger  sister,  also  my  patient.  Every  symp- 
tom was  relieved  ;  her  pulse  down  to  96.  She  came 
to  town  again,  on  the  12th  of  the  same  month.  She 
was  still  improving ;  pulse  down  to  86.  She  com- 
plained of  other  symptoms,  which  I  prescribed  for. 

July  2Tth.  She  called  again  very  much  improved  ; 
pulse  only  YO — her  natural  pulse.  She  was  every 
way  better.  She  had  no  cough,  no  night  sweats,  no 
pain,  no  difficulty  of  breathing,  very  slight  expecto- 
ration, no  bad  feelings  about  the  chest,  and  appeared 
confident  of  attaining  a  speedy  and  perfect  cure. 

August  'Tth.  Her  father  called  on  me  to-day  for 
remedies  for  a  younger  daughter,  and  says  that  Miss 
P.,  the  subject  of  this  report,  is  in  perfect  health. 

I  employed,  in  this  case,  my  abdominal  supporter, 
shoulder-brace,  inhaling  tube,  and  the  medicines 
which  are  prepared  under  my  own  immediate  super- 
vision. I  am  myself  greatly  astonished  at  her  speedy 
restoration. 

The  reader  is  presented  with  the  following  note 
from  her  parents,  subsequently  received. 

Edgemont  toivnsJiip,  Pa.,  August  20,  1850. 

Dk.  Pottee, 

Dear  Sir:  As  our  daughter,  Phoebe,  has  not 
been  to  town,  for  some  weeks,  to  consult  thee,  we 
thought  it  best  to  write  and  inform  thee  of  the  rea- 
son. Sir,  she  is  well!  and  needs  no  physician.  From 
the  moment  that  she  commenced  using  thy  remedies 
she  began  to  mend,  much  to  the  astonishment  and 


158  CASES. 

joy  of  ourselves  and  of  all  our  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances ;  some  of  whom,  Laving  waited  to  see  the  re- 
sult in  our  daughter's  case,  are  convinced  that  thee 
can  cure  consumption,  and  will,  no  doubt,  soon  con- 
sult thee.  We  intend  to  have  Phoebe  continue  her 
remedies  for  some  time,  to  avoid  a  relapse. 

With  great  confidence  in  thy  superior  skill  in 
lung  diseases,  and  many  thanks  for  the  interest 
which  thee  has  manifested  in  our  daughter's  case, 
we  remain  thy  friends, 

Reuben  Yaenall. 


A  CASE  or  INCIPIENT  CONSUMPTION. 

On  the  13th  of  ]N"ovember,  1849,  I  was  consulted 
by  Mrs.  E.  B.,  vocalist,  of  Philadelphia,  aged  26. 
She  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  brought  up  in  England. 
She  is  the  mother  of  two  children  ;  had  lost  her  mo- 
ther and  a  brother  by  consumption.  She  had  been 
four  years  ill,  with  a  constant  hacking  cough,  bloody 
expectoration,  night  sweats,  hoarseness,  an  aching 
and  exhausted  feeling  in  the  throat  after  speaking 
or  singing  ;  diarrhea,  and  pain  in  the  chest.  I  pre- 
scribed an  abdominal  supporter,  inhaling  tube, 
shoulder-brace,  diarrhea  pills,  counter-irritant,  lung 
syrup,  &c.,  &c.,  and  the  result  has  been  most  satis- 
factory. 

'Nov.  23d.  She  coughed  less,  and  was  free  from 
fever.  On  examining  her  fauces  and  throat,  I  found 
them  sympathetically  affected,  and  applied  nit.  ar- 
gent, in  solution. 

Dec.  2.  She  had  just  had  a  spell  of  raising  blood. 
I  advised  the  application  of  four  cups  to  the  back, 
to  refrain  from  meats,  all  stimulating  food,  hot  drinks, 
&c.,  and  gave  her  a  prescription. 

Dec.  5.  The  haemorrhage  had  ceased,  her  cough 


CASES.  159 

grew  less  and  less.    I  again  cauterized   the  fauces 
and  larynx  freely. 

March  10th.  She  has  had  a  sick  child,  the  care  of 
which  has  retarded  her  recovery.  Her  child  subse- 
quently died. 

April  25th.  She  now  began  to  improve  rapidly, 
and  to  feel  greatly  encouraged. 

June  1st.  She  still  improved,  and  began  to  regain 
her  flesh ;  she  had  no  night  sweats,  and  scarcely  any 
cough.  She  went  to  Long  Island  for  the  benefit  of 
change  of  air  and  scene. 

July  20th.  She  visited  me,  and  reported  herself 
almost  well.  She  had  no  cough,  no  pain  in  her  chest, 
and  but  a  slight  expectoration  ;  she  had  grown  quite 
fleshy,  and  was  perfectly  confident  of  attaining  a 
complete  cm^e. 

September  10th.  Her  health  is  now  perfectly  re- 
established. She  is  in  full  flesh,  quite  as  strong  as 
she  ever  was  in  her  life,  and  has  the  complexion  of 
the  lily  and  the  rose.  In  short,  she  is  a  perfect  pic- 
ture of  health. 


A   CASE   or  INCIPIENT  CONSUMPTION,  COMPLICATED  WITH 
CHKONIC   BEONCHITIS,    AND    LARYNGITIS. 

Miss  C.  E.,  of  Philadelphia,  a  gifted  and  inter- 
esting young  lady,  and  sister  to  Mr.  R.,  whose  case 
I  have  reported,  commenced  using  remedies  under 
my  directions  early  in  E'ovember,  1849.  Her  dis- 
ease, complicated  as  it  was,  proved  very  obstinate  ; 
but  the  subjoined  note  will  show  her  progress.  Her 
disease  had  been  pronounced  incurable. 

Philadelpliia,  December  SOih,  1849. 
De.    J.    H.    POTTEE, 

Z^ea/r  Sir :  I  cannot  refrain  from  expressing  to 
you  my  gratitude,  and  that  of  my  mother,  brother 
and  sisters,  and  friends,  for  your  instrumentality — 


160  CASES. 

under  Providence — in  the  almost  complete  restora- 
tion of  my  health.  It  is  now  abont  one  year  since 
I  was  taken  ill.  I  had  an  almost  constant  cough, 
exj)ectoration,  distressing  dejection,  constant  hoarse- 
ness, emaciation,  pain  in  my  chest,  night  sweats, 
sore  throat,  and  in  fact  every  symptom  of  consump- 
tion. Before  I  called  on  you  (at  the  solicitation  of 
mother,)  I  had  been  from  time  to  time  under  the 
care  of  several  physicians,  but  received  no  benefit 
from  their  treatment.  I  had  entirely  given  up  all 
hopes  of  recovering  my  health,  and  thought  only 
of  death  as  the  agent  of  my  deliverance  from  sick- 
ness. About  two  months  since  I  called  at  your  of- 
fice, had  my  chest  examined,  and  commenced  u]3on 
your  treatment ;  I  began  to  improve  immediately 
and  raj^idly.  I  am  now  nearly  or  quite  well.  I  am 
in  fine  spirits,  have  scarcely  any  cough,  am  recoA^er- 
ing  my  flesh,  and  believe,  that  a  new  lease  of  my  life 
has  been  accorded  to  me.  Yery  truly  and  respect- 
fully yours.  C.  E. 

On  the  9th  of  November,  1850,  I  received  a  let- 
ter from  her,  in  which  she  said  :  "  Respecting  my 
own  health,  I  have  no  cause  to  complain,  but  much 
to  be  grateful  for.  I  have  been  very  well  all  this  fall." 
Speaking  of  her  younger  brother  whom  I  had  treat- 
ed for  a  sudden  and  dangerous  heermorrhage  of  the 
lungs,  she  said  :  "  My  brother  seems  now  in  good 
health ;  I  think  this  information  will  please  you." 
And  S23eaking  of  a  lady  and  daughter  who  had  been 
under  my  care,  for  throat  disease,  lepgthened  uvula, 
&c.,  she  said :  "  Mrs.  Buchannan  and  her  daughter, 
are  both  perfectly  well,  and  send  their  respects  to  " 
you." 


CASES.  161 

CASE  OF  ME.  N.  B.  T.,  C)F  CHARLESTON,  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

On  tlie  9tli  of  December,  184:9,  this  gentleman 
first  consulted  me.  At  that  time  he  had  every  symp. 
torn  of  a  rapid  decline  ;  his  mother  died  of  consump- 
tion. He  had  a  distressing  cough,  which  almost  en- 
tirely deprived  him  of  rest  at  night ;  a  copious  ex- 
pectoration of  pus,  mixed  with  mucus,  excessive 
weakening  night  sweats,  hoarseness,  sore  throat,  a 
feeling  ol  tightness  across  the  chest,  cold,  damp  feet, 
emaciation,  debility,  and  other  symptoms  of  con- 
sumption, lie  was  under  my  care  for  several  months, 
used  my  remedies  with  great  precision,  and  improv- 
ed wonderfully  and  rapidly.  On  the  Tth  day  of 
August,  1850,  I  received  the  following  note  from 
him,  which  I  take  the  liberty  of  inserting. 

My  Dear  Sir  :  In  answer  to  your  note  inquiring 
about  my  health,  at  this  time,  I  am  thankful  to  have 
it  in  my  power  to  say,  that  I  now  consider  myself 
completely  restored  ;  I  do  not  cough  at  all.  I  have 
no  sore  throat,  no  hoarseness,  no  expectoration,  no 
night  sweats  ;  I  have  recovered  my  flesh,  and  in  a 
great  measure  my  strength.  In  short,  I  am  now 
quite  well,  and  attend  constantly  to  my  business; 
though  I  continue  to  use  your  remedies — as  they  do 
me  no  harm — for  the  purpose  of  avoiding  a  return 
of  my  former  distressing  cough,  night  sweats,  &c. 
1  dread  consumption  more  than  all  other  diseases, 
and  I  therefore  do  all  that  you  recommend  to  be 
done  for  its  prevention  ;  which  I  am  confident  im- 
proves my  general  health,  and  adds  to  my  strength. 
I  believe  that  your  practice  is  the  only  rational  and 
effective  one  in  cases  of  consumption,  bronchitis,  and 
throat  diseases,  and  that  you  have  saved  me  from  a 
dreaded  and  lingering  sickness,  and  from  death. 

With  gratitude,  &c.,  your  friend, 

]^.  B.  T. 

To  J.  II  Poller,  M.  Z>.,  New  York. 


162  CASES. 

A   CASE  OF  CONSUMPTIOIT  IN  THE  SECOND   STA&E,  PEOBA- 
BLY   BEYOND   THE   KEACH   OF    REMEDIES. 

Mr.  C.  B.,  of  Philadelpliia,  carpenter,  aged  26, 
consulted  me  on  the  fifth  of  December.  He  had 
been  some  weeks  a  patient  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Hospital,  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Wood  ;  had  also 
been  some  months  nnder  the  care  of  Dr.  Samnel 
Jackson,  both  gentlemen  deservedly  eminent  in  the 
profession.  Auscultation  and  percussion  revealed, 
extensive  disease  of  his  lungs.  He  had  a  constant 
cough,  hoarseness,  night  sweats,  pain  in  the  chest, 
emaciation,  hectic  fever  and  extreme  debility.  He 
was  under  my  care  until  the  twelfth  of  February, 
during  which  time  I  tried  every  means  in  my  power 
to  break  up  his  disease,  but  my  efforts  only  availed 
as  palliatives.  I  had  advised  a  sea  voyage  as  a  last 
resort,  and  he  sailed  to-day,  Feb.  12th,  1850,  for  Eu- 
rope. 

This  unfortunate  gentleman  was  constantly  de- 
jected, his  mind  being  filled  with  the  most  gloomy 
ai^prehensions,  differing  thus  from  most  people  who 
are  in  the  advanced  stages ;  a  circumstance  which 
militated  greatly  against  successful  medication,  and 
which  induced  me  to  recommend  change  of  scene. 


CASE     OF     CIIBONIC    LAETNGITIS,    WHICH     CAME     UNDER 
MY    CARE   IN   THE   FALL    OF    1849. 

This  gentleman,  Mr.  J.  F.,  complained  to  me 
that  he  had  "  bronchitis,  or  clergyman's  sore  throat." 
He  presented  the  usual  symptoms  of  chronic  laryn- 
gitis ;  hoarseness,  almost  complete  loss  of  voice, 
cough,  expectoration,  &c.  He  procured  remedies 
from  me  and  went  to  the  country  to  attend  exclu- 
sively to  his  health.     I  applied  a  solution  of  the  ni- 


CASES.  163 


trate  of  silver  to  the  internal  surface  of  the  epiglotis, 
to  the  glotis  and  larynx,  on  several  occasions  when 
he  came  to  town  for  remedies.  His  recovery  was 
perfect  in  three  months.  He  has  remained  well  up 
to  this  time,  September  30th,  1 850. 


A   CASE    OF   COMPLETE   LOSS   OF   VOICE. 

Mr.  Edward  Kirby  of  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
came  on  and  consulted  me  in  May,  of  the  past  year, 
on  account  of  an  affection  of  the  larynx,  which  had 
resulted  in  complete  loss  of  voice.  He  remained  a 
few  weeks  in  the  city  and  used  remedies  under  my 
directions,  which  completely  cured  his  throat.  His 
voice  gradually  returned  to  him.  It  was  weak  and 
husky  at  first,  but  ultimately  became  as  strong  and 
clear  as  it  ever  had  been,  and  he  returned  home  in 
perfect  health. 


A  CASE  OF  SPINAL  DEBILITY,  COMPLICATED  WITH  MANY 
ALAKMING  SYMPTOMS. 

This  lady  had  been  given  up  to  die,  and  was  pro- 
nounced, by  not  less  than  three  eminent  physicians, 
to  be  in  the  last  stages  of  the  worst  form  of  pulmo- 
nary consumption. 

On  the  23d  of  October,  184:9, 1  was  waited  upon 
by  Mrs.  B.,  and  requested  to  call  and  see  her  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  E.  Y.,  a  widow,  nineteen  years  of  age,  of 
remarkable  personal  beauty,  and  the  mother  of  one 
child,  aged  three  years.  She  was  married  at  fifteen. 
Her  mother  informed  me  that,  since  the  birth  of  her 
child,  a  daughter,  she  had  never  been  well ;  that  she 


164  CASES. 

had  been,  for  the  preceding  two  years,  constantly 
confined  to  her  bed,  not  being  able  to  turn  or  move 
her  limbs  without  assistance.  It  was  thought  by  all 
that  she  was  in  consumption,  and  that  her  right  lung 
was  completely  consumed.  I  found  the  patient  suf- 
fering from  the  following  serious  disorders.  Debility 
of  the  spine,  complete  paralysis  of  the  lower  limbs, 
an  alarming  constipation — her  bow^els  not  being 
moved  oftener  than  once  in  from  ten  to  fourteen 
days — cough  and  expectoration,  falling  of  the  womb, 
whites,  dyspepsia,  headache,  inflamed  eyes,  &c., 
&c.,  a  com]3lication  that,  for  extent  and  severity,  is 
rarely  met  with.  Her  lungs  were  sound,  perfectly. 
Eeing  requested  to  undertake  the  case,  I  commenced 
adapting  remedies,  wdth  but  a  distant  hope  of  suc- 
cess. 

j^ovember  15th.  Her  eyes  were  well,  and  her 
bowels  more  regular. 

IS^ovember  20tlj.  She  had  improved  in  strength, 
had  a  better  appetite,  and  was  regaining  her  flesh. 
She  was  in  fine  spirits,  and  seemed  confident  of  a 
speedy  return  to  health. 

December  2d.  At  this  time  she  sat  up  from  two 
to  three  hours  daily.  She  was  a  good  patient ;  she 
took  her  remedies  regularly. 

December  11th.  She  had  continued  to  improve. 

March  1st,  1850.  Was  rapidly  recovering ;  sat  up 
all  day. 

June  1st.  She  stood  upon  her  feet,  and  walked 
the  floor  with  assistance. 

July  20th.  She  is  in  fine  health,  and  walks  out 
daily.  She  can  walk  nearly  across  the  city  without 
much  fatigue,  considers  her  health  perfectly  esta- 
blished, and  is  training  her  hopes  for  a  bright  future. 

She  has  been  under  my  care  for  about  ten  months. 
The  change  and  recovery  are  astonishing,  truly,  and 
can  only  be  realized  by  those  who  are  acquainted 
with  the  case,  and  have  watched  its  progress. 


OASES.  165 

1^0  confidence,  in  a  medical  adviser,  it  seems  to 
me,  could  exceed  that  with  which  this  lady  honored 
me  daring  the  long  months  that  she  was  under  my 
care.  At  each  visit,  the  distressed  lady  exclaimed^ 
in  answer  to  my  inquiries  respecting  her  health, 
"  Oh,  I  am  much  better.  Doctor  !  I  know  you  will 
cure  me  ;  I  am  sure  of  it,  and  I  tell  ma  so  a  dozen 
times  a  day."  And  she  did  get  well !  and  is  now  in 
perfect  health.     September  29tli,  1851. 

How  much  merit  should  be  attached,  in  this 
lady's  case,  to  remedies,  regimen,  and  attention,  and 
how  much  to  her  wonderful  buoyancy  of  spirits, 
lively  hope,  and  confidence  in  my  feeble  powers,  I 
leave  to  the  reader  to  decide  for  himself.  She  tells 
her  friends  that  these  words  are  engraved  upon  her 
heart,  "  Cured  by  Dr.  Potter." 


A  CASE  OF  CAKCEE  OF  THE   STOMACH,   ILLFSTKATING  THE 
UTILITY  OF  THE  ABDOMINAL  SUPPOETEE. 

Mr.  H.  consulted  me  in  December,  1849,  and 
complained  of  distressing  symptoms  about  the  re- 
gions of  the  stomach  and  chest,  which  had  continued 
for  a  great  length  of  time,  in  spite  of  all  remedial 
efforts.  After  a  strict  examination,  I  made  up  my 
mind  that  his  case  was  one  of  cancer  of  the  stomach  ; 
but,  as  neither  himself,  his  wife,  family  physician,  or 
friends  susj^ected  such  to  be  the  case,  and  knowing 
the  disease  to  be  fatal  in  spite  of  all  science,  I  deter- 
mined, in  his  case,  not  to  create  any  alarm  by  letting 
him  know  my  diagnosis,  but  to  try  the  effect  of  my 
abdominal  supporter.  I  prescribed  the  instrument, 
which  was  immediately  applied  and  adjusted  by 
myself.  I  also  prescribed  some  appropriate  medi- 
cines. His  improvement  was  so  sudden  and  so  j)er- 
manent,  that  I  began  to  doubt  my  own  opinion  of 


166  CASES. 

his  case.  Matters  went  on  thus  for  eight  months ; 
during  which  time  he  enjo_yed  ahnost,  as  he  said, 
uninterrupted  health.  In  July,  1850,  he  left  off  his 
supporter  for  a  short  time,  and  all  of  his  former  bad 
symptoms  returned.  He  sent  for  me,  and  I  advised 
him  to  resume  his  supporter  immediately;  he  in- 
formed me  that  he  had  done  so.  But  it  was  too  late ; 
violent  symptoms  supervened,  his  family  physician 
was  also  called  in ;  at  the  solicitation  of  his  friends,  a 
consultation  was  held  with  eminent  talent,  but  all  to 
no  purpose ;  he  sank  in  a  few  days.  An  examina- 
tion of  his  stomach  being  made,  post  mortem,  cancer 
of  the  stomach  was  revealed,  and  decided  to  be  the 
cause  of  death.  It  will  be  seen  by  the  above,  that 
through  the  agency  of  the  supporter,  this  gentleman's 
life  was,  in  all  probability,  prolonged  for  many 
months.  Had  he  not,  unadvisedly,  left  it  off,  under 
the  impression  that  his  disease  was  cured,  perhaps 
the  writing  of  this  report  had  been  postponed  to  a 
much  later  date. 


CASE  OF  LENGTHENED  UVULA,  OR  PALATE. 

Mr.  J.  D.  S.  was  advised  to  consult  me  by  Dr. 
D.  He  complained  of  a  distressing  cough,  which  he 
informed  me  that  he  had  suffered  with  for  four  years. 
I  examined  his  lungs  and  found  them  sound.  On 
questioning  him  further,  I  ascertained  that  he  had 
no  expectoration,  no  fever,  no  night  sweats,  no  pain 
in  the  chest,  no  feeling  of  weight  or  constriction 
about  the  chest,  no  chills,  no  emaciation  ;  but  was  in 
absolute  health,  with  the  one  exception  of  cough.  I 
now  suspected  lengthened  uvula ;  and  on  examination, 
found  that  organ  enlarged  to  the  extent  of  one  full 
inch,  and  hanging  some  distance  down  his  throat ; 


CASES.  167 

tliis  occasioned  the  tickling  and  cougL  ;  the  fauces 
and  throat  were  somewhat  irritated.  I  advised  him 
to' have  his  uvula  truncated,  (cut  off) ;  he  consented, 
and  I  immediately  performed  the  operation,  leaving 
him  an  uvula  or  palate  of  nearly  the  natural  di- 
mensions. The  operation  has  proved  completely 
successful.  As  soon  as  I  succeeded  by  proper  re- 
medies in  allaying  the  irritation  about  his  fauces  and 
throat,  which  had  been  kept  up  by  the  elongated 
uvula,  his  cough  ceased  entirely,  and  has  not  since 
returned.  He  suffered  no  inconvenience  from  the 
operation,  nor  was  he  sensible  of  the  slightest  change 
in  his  voice  at  the  time,  but  it  subsequently  became 
clearer  and  stronger.  Many  eminent  surgeons  ad- 
vise, in  cases  of  the  above  description,  that  the  uvula 
be  entirely  cut  off;  I  see  no  reason  for  not  leaving 
enough  to  represent  an  organ  of  natural  dimensions ; 
such  has  been  my  practice,  and  I  have  found  that 
success  has  attended  it ;  and  that  a  second  operation 
has  rarely  been  necessary,  where  suitable  medication 
was  subsequently  employed. 


A   CASE    OF   TUBEKCULAE   CONSUMPTIOl^"     IIS.    THE     THIRD 

STAGE. 

In  March,  1850,  I  was  waited  upon  by  Mrs.  W., 
from  Woodbury,  ifew  Jersey,  near  Philadelphia. 
She  came  to  consult  with  me  respecting  her  husband, 
a  merchant,  whom  she  informed  me  had  been  alarm- 
ingly ill  for  several  months ;  and  that  she  was  under 
the  impression  that  he  was  in  consumj)tion,  but  that 
she  was  wholly  uncertain  as  to  the  true  nature  of  his 
disease,  as  his  physicians  had  entirely  disagreed  in 
their  opinion  of  his  case ;  adding,  that  they  had  ne- 
glected him,  and  that  he  had  been  for  three  months 


168  CASES. 

at  a  time  without  any  physician.  After  describing 
his  case  to  me  as  fully  as  she  could,  she  requested 
ray  opinion  of  it.  'No  physician  is  justified  in  giv- 
ing opinions  without  seeing  the  patient,  except,  of 
course,  such  opinion  as  he  may  be  able  to  base  on  the 
representations  made  to  him.  I  told  Mrs.  W.  that 
her  husband  was  undoubtedly  very  ill,  and,  so  far  as 
I  was  enabled  to  judge  of  his  case  from  her  repre- 
sentations, his  disease  was  bronchitis.  This  did  not 
satisfy  her;  she  was  determined  to  ascertain  the 
exact  state  of  the  case,  if  it  were  practicable,  and 
requested  me  to  visit  her  husband  in  Woodbury,  and 
institute  a  critical  examination  of  his  chest,  &c.,  &c., 
and,  if  possible  to  tell  her  precisely  how  her  hus- 
band was  effected,  and  exactly  what  she  was  to  ex- 
pect. 

I  accordingly  visited  him.  1  found  him  to  be 
about  thirty-eight  years  of  age,  tall,  broad  shoul- 
dered and  thin  chested,  and  reduced  to  a  mere  skele- 
ton ;  entirely  imable  to  leave  his  room,  and  present- 
ing the  appearance  of  a  man  who  had  been  dead  for 
some  days.  He  coughed  and  raised  constantly.  The 
pathological  sounds  of  his  lungs  were  so  audible  that 
a  common  listener  could  not  mistake  them,  even  at 
some  distance  from  his  person.  I  made  a  hasty  ex- 
amination of  his  lungs,  and  quitted  the  apartment 
as  speedily  as  possible,  knowing  that  death  was  upon 
him,  and  that  his  last  struggle  might  take  place  at 
any  moment;  and,  to  say  the  truth,  I  feared  he 
might  die  while  I  was  in  his  room,  or  in  the  house, 
a  circumstance  which  I  did  not  wish  should  trans- 
pire. 

His  devoted  wife  followed  me  to  the  parlor,  and 
placed  herself  in  the  attitude  of  one  expecting  to 
hear  an  important  ulthnatum.  I  asked  her  if  she 
wished  me  to  give  her  my  true  and  candid  opinion 
of  Mr.  W.'s  case.     She  replied  that  she  invited  me 


CASES.  169 

to  Woodbury  to  make  an  examination  of  lier  hus- 
band's case,  not  to  keep  the  facts  a  secret,  but  for 
the  purpose  of  being  satisfied,  and  requested  me  to 
tell  the  precise  facts  as  I  found  them,  and  mj 
opinion  of  his  chance  of  recovery.  I  replied  that 
Mr.  W.  was  in  the  very  last  stages  of  pulmonary 
consumption  ;  that  he  could  not  possibly  get  well, 
but  was  likely  to  die  at  any  moment ;  and  that  I 
should  not  be  astonished  if  she  found  him  expiring 
on  her  return  to  his  apartment.  She  thanked  me 
for  my  candor,  but  wished  still  to  cling  to  some  hope. 
I  assured  her,  that,  in  my  opinion,  there  was  none. 
She  then  requested  me  to  try  to  cure  him,  and 
resolved  on  procuring  my  remedies.  She  did  so  ; 
she  came  to  the  city  in  three  days,  and  was  full  of 
hope  that  her  husband  would  be  spared  to  her,  as 
she  thought  that  his  health  had  greatly  improved. 
In  four  days  more  he  died.  She  subsequently  ex- 
tolled my  remedies,  and  regretted  that  she  had  not 
procured  them  before  ;  adding,  that  she  believed, 
had  she  done  so,  her  husband  would  have  been 
cured. 

This  case  illustrates  the  necessity  of  employing 
counsel  at  the  very  commencement  of  a  disease,  who 
is  known  to  be  capacitated  to  tell  what  the  disease 
is,  and  whose  attention  to,  and  interest  in  the  subject, 
will  enable  him  to  institute  that  treatment  which 
will  be  most  likely  to  restore  the  patient  to  health. 


MISCELLANEOUS  FORMULJE. 

MEDICATED   BATHS,  DIET  FOK   INVALIDS,  ANTIDOTES,  &C. 


Salt-"W"atek  Bath.  —  Dissolve  six  pounds  of 
rock-salt  in  twentj-five  gallons  of  water. 

Aleaxine  Bath. — Take  five  ounces  of  the  sub- 
carbonate  of  potash,  and  stir  it  into  thirt j-five  gal- 
lons of  water. 

Sea-Watee  Bath. — Dissolve  nine  pounds  of  sea- 
salt,  and  four  pounds  of  crystallized  chloride  of  mag- 
nesia, in  thirty-five  gallons  of  water. 

Sulphur  Bath. — Dissolve  six  ounces  of  the  sul- 
phuret  of  potassa,  in  twelve  ounces  of  muriatic  acid  ; 
mix  the  whole  with  thirty-five  gallons  of  water.  The 
temperatm-e  of  this  bath  should  be  90°  F. 

The  Bareges  Bath. — Take  of  carbonate  of  soda, 
chloride  of  sodium,  and  crystallized  sulphuret  of 
sodium,  of  each  two  ounces,  dissolve  in  twelve 
ounces  of  pure  water,  and  mix  the  solution,  with  thirty 
gallons  of  the  same  fluid. 

Iodine  Bath. — Place  two  drachms  of  iodine, 
and  four  drachms  of  the  iodide  of  potassium  in  a 
pint  of  water,  and  when  dissolved,  pour  the  solution 
into  a  bath  containing  fifty  gallons  of  water.  The 
tub  for  this  bath  must  be  of  wood,  and  be  covered 


FOEMULJ^:,    &c.  171 

while  the  patient  is  immersed,  to  prevent  the  fmnes 
from  rising,  and  irritating  the  fauces  and  throat. 
The  face  and  hands  need  not  be  immersed,  as  this 
bath  will  slightly  color  the  skin ;  the  color,  however, 
soon  disappears. 

ISTiTRo-MijEiATic  Acid  Bath. — Take  of  muriatic 
acid,  three  ounces,  nitric  acid,  two  ounces,  water, 
five  ounces,  mix  ;  three  ounces  of  this  dilute  acid  is 
to  be  added  to  each  gallon  of  water  in  the  bath. 
Place  the  feet  in  the  bath  for  fifteen  minutes,  and  in 
the  mean  time,  sponge  the  rest  of  the  person — with 
the  exception  of  the  face,  neck  and  hands — frequent- 
ly.    The  bath-tub  should  be  of  wood. 

Mtjriatio  Acid  Bath. — Add  from  four  to  six 
ounces  of  the  muriatic  acid,  to  thirty-five  gallons  of 
water.     Let  the  tub  be  of  wood. 

NiTKic  Acid  Bath. — Add  six  ounces  of  nitric 
acid,  to  thirty-five  gallons  of  water.  Let  the  tub  be 
of  wood. 

"Waem  Bath. — The  temperature  of  the  water 
should  range  from  90*^  to  100°  F. 

Hot  Bath. — The  water  should  be  as  hot  as  the 
patient  can  bear  with  comfort ;  from  100°  to  150°F. 

The  Ems  Bath. — Dissolve  twelve  ounces  (Troy) 
of  the  bi-carbonate  of  soda,  two  ounces  of  common 
salt,  and  two  ounces  of  the  sulphate  of  iron,  in 
thirty-five  gallons  of  pure  water  of  the  temperature 
of  85°  F.  This  makes  a  bath  similar  to  the  Ems 
waters  in  Germany,  which  have  the  reputation  of 
curing  consumption. 


To  MAKE  Cakeigeen  Jellt. — Take  Carrigeen 
moss,  3  ounces,'^  water,  2  quarts,  boil  it  down  to 
half  a  pint,  strain  and  add  sugar,  4  ounces,  flavor 


1Y2  FORMULA,    <feC. 


with  vanilla  bean  or  lemon  to  taste,  and  set  aside 
to  jelly. 

To  MAKE  Blanc-mais'GE. — Take  Carrigeen  moss, 
half  an  ounce,  milk  one  quart,  boil  fifteen  minutes, 
strain,  flavor  with  vanilla  bean,  and  set  it  by  to  cool. 

To  PEEPARE  Akrow-eoot. — Take  2  tablespoon- 
fuls  of  arrow-root,  make  it  into  a  paste,  with  cold 
water,  pour  upon  this  boiling  milk  to  thicken  it,  then 
sweeten  and  flavor  to  taste. 

To  PREPARE  KicE. — Take  2  ounces  of  the  best 
rice,  wash  and  soak  in  cold  water  half  an  hour,  boil 
it  then  in  milk  until  it  is  quite  soft ;  to  be  eaten  with 
pulverized  sugar  and  cream,  or  with  syrup,  molasses 
or  honey. 

To  mae:e  Isinglass  Jelly. — ^Take  half  an  ounce 
of  isinglass,  half  a  pint  of  milk,  boil  until  the  isin- 
glass is  all  dissolved,  flavor  and  set  it  away  to  cool, 
when  it  will  be  fit  to  serve  with  pulverized  sugar 
and  cream. 

To  MAKE  Tapioca  Jelly. — Take  tapioca,  3  ounces, 
water,  1  quart,  soak  8  hours,  boil  it  over  a  gentle  fire 
until  it  becomes  quite  clear,  and  if  necessary  add 
more  water  while  boiling,  sweeten  and  flavor  with 
vanilla,  cinnamon,  wine  or  nutmeg  to  taste. 

To  MAKE  Oatmeal  Porrige. — Take  fiv^e  table- 
spoonfuls  of  oatmeal  and  the  same  quantity  of  water 
and  mix  them  thoroughly  together  ;  then  add  rather 
more  than  half  a  pint  of  milk  and  a  little  salt ;  wa- 
ter, or  milk  and  water  may  be  used  instead  of  milk. 
It  must  be  boiled  and  stirred  until  it  is  thick,  which 
requires  about  three  minutes  after  boiling  has  com- 
menced. 

Receipt  for  makln-g  Bouillon,  furnished  to  the 
author  by  a  cook  in  Paris. — Boil  2  pounds  of  fresh 
lean  beef,  ofi'  of  the  round,  for  four  hours,  in  three  or 


FOEMUL^,    &C.  173 

four  quarts  of  water  containing  salt ;  add,  while  boil- 
ing, carrots,  leeks,  onions,  or  celery,  to  flavor.  A 
chicken  may  be  substituted  for  the  beef,  in  whole  or 
part. 

Barley  Water. — ^Take  pearl  barley,  one  and 
a  half  ounces,  water  two  quarts,  boil  down  to  about 
three  pints,  decant  or  strain. 

Flaxseed  Tea. — Take  flaxseed,  3  ounces,  pour 
upon  it  2  quarts  of  boiling  water,  let  it  infuse  for 
one  hour ;  when  cool  add  half  an  ounce  of  lemon  juice 
and  sweeten  with  honey. 

Effervescing  Draught. — Take  lemon  juice  one 
ounce,  add  carbonate  of  potas  to  saturation,  then 
add  water,  six  ounces.  Dose^  sl  tablespoonful  each 
hour,  or  two  hours. 

Tar  Beer. — Take  tar,  one'pint,  honey,  half  a  pint, 
malt,  one  quart,  water,  three  quarts,  mix ;  simmer 
three  hours,  strain,  add  brewers'  yeast,  half  a  pint,  let 
it  stand  thirty-six  hours,  and  then  bottle.  Dose^  a 
wine-glass  full  before  each  meal. 

Infusion  of  Wild  Cherry  Bark.— Take  of  the  dried 
bark,  bruised,  half  an  ounce,  cold  water,  one  pint, 
mix  ;  let  it  stand  twenty-four  hours,  strain,  then  let 
it  stand  until  it  becomes  clear;  pour  oft' the  clear  liquid, 
which  is  fit  for  use.  Dose,  a  wine-glass  full,  three 
or  four  times  a  day ;  double  the  quantity  may  be 
taken  without  danger,  and  often  with  benefit. 

Syrup  or  Wild  Cherry  Bark. — Take  dried 
bark,  bruised,  four  ounces,  cold  water,  eighteen 
ounces,  mix ;  let  it  stand  for  two  days,  in  a  cool 
place,  occasionally  stirring ;  strain,  let  it  stand  until 
it  becomes  clear,  pour  off  the  clear  liquid,  which 
will  weigh  twelve  ounces ;  to  which  add  six  ounces 
of  the  best  white  sugar;  the  sugar  will  soon  dissolve 


174  FOEMUL^j    &C. 

without  heat,  and  the  syrup  is  ready.  Dose,  a  wine- 
glass full  three  times  a  day,  mixed  with  pure  cold 
water. 


Antidotes. — Syn. — Counter-poisons. — If  a  person 
has  taken  poison",  it  is  proper  to  apply  domestic  or 
ready  remedies  before  the  arrival  of  the  physician  ; 
I  will  subjoin  the  proper  procedure. 

Arsenic. — ^When  a  person  has  taken  arsenic, 
give  him,  immediately,  either  of  the  following 
draughts,  and  let  him  drink  frequently  and  copiously. 
"White  of  egg  and  water ;  milk ;  flour  and  water ; 
olive  oil,  or  olive  oil  and  lime  water,  in  equal  parts. 
Tickle  his  throat  with  the  feathered  end  of  a  quill, 
to  excite  vomitmg.  Keej)  the  sufferer  drinking  and 
vomiting  until  the  physician  arrives,  who  will  ap- 
ply the  stomach  pump,  and  take  charge  of  the 
patient. 

Mineral  Acids. — If  a  person  has  swallowed 
either  muriatic,  nitric  or  sulphuric  acid,  give  him 
either  milk  or  white  of  eggs,  or  magnesia  and  milk, 
in  large  quantities,  and  let  him  inhale  the  vapor  of 
ammonia — hartshorn. 

PRrsic  Acid. — Give  a  glass  of  brandy  and  water 
containing  a  teaspoonful  of  hartshorn ;  repeat  the 
draught  every  fifteen  minutes  for  an  hour,  or  until 
the  physician  arrives. 

Oxalic  Acid. — Give  magnesia,  chalk  or  whiting, 
mixed  with  a  small  quantity  of  milk  or  water. 

Laudanum,  Opium,  or  Morphia. — Give  20  grains 
of  ipecac,  with  warm  water  every  fifteen  minutes 
until  thi<>,  patient  vomits,  or  if  mustard  is  more  con- 
venient, give  a  teaspoonful  instead  of  the  20  grains 
of  ipecac ;  as  soon  as  the  patient  vomits,  give  him 
strong  coffee,  dash  water  into  his  face,  and  worry 


FORMULA,    &C.  175 

him  in  some  way  till  the  doctor  comes.  Do  not  let 
him  remain  quiet  for  a  moment ;  keep  him  walking, 
or,  if  he  cannot  walk,  shake  him  or  whip  him  con- 
stantly. 

Yegetable  Poisons. — As  nux  vomica,  tobacco, 
stramonium,  atropa  belladonna,  colchicum,  digitalis, 
cocculus  indicus,  <fec.,  &c.  Give  emetics  ;  either  20 
grains  of  ipecac  in  water,  or  15  grains  of  the  sulphate 
of  zinc,  in  solution  with  water. 

Apoplexy  and  Stjn-Steoke. — Place  the  sufferer 
in  the  sitting  posture ;  loosen  the  clothing  about  the 
neck  and  chest,  and  do  not  let  many  people  surround 
the  patient.  Apply  bags  of  ice,  or  a  cloth  wet  in 
iced-water  to  the  whole  upper  part  of  the  head ; 
place  the  feet  and  ancles  in  a  hot  bath,  made 
stimulating  by  the  addition  of  mustard  ;  apply  cups 
or  leeches  to  the  nostrils,  back  of  the  neck  and  tem- 
ples— if  the  pulse  will  permit  the  depletion. 


Falling  of  the  Hair. — Keep  the  scalp  entirely 
free  from  dandruff,  brush  the  scalp  twice  a  day  un- 
til it  is  thoroughly  reddened,  and  apply  a  hair  tonic 
composed  of 

Best  French  Brandy, 6  ozs. 

Caster  Oil  (fresh,) 1    " 

Ammonia, 1    " 

Tincture  of  Cantharides,       ...  2  drachms. 

Mix,  and  shake  well  before  using. 

This  tonic  has  no  superior,  either  to  prevent 
the  hair  from  falling,  or  to  restore  it  upon  bald 
scalps.  It  is  not  to  be  put  upon  the  hair ;  the  hair 
must  be  parted  and  the  tonic  applied  directly  upon 
the  scalp,  and  brushed  in. 


176  FOEMTJL^,    &C. 

BuENS. — Apply  linen  cloths,  wet  in  a  mixture  of 
equal  parts  of  lime-water  and  linseed  oil.  Olive 
oil  will  answer. 


A  Peesceiption  foe  Dyspepsia. — An   eifectual 
remedy,  in  many  cases. 

■^      .     .       . 

Zingiberis  contusi, 

Colombse  contusge       .     .     ,     .     .   a  a  5ss. 

Sennse 3ij. 

Boiling  water, one  pint. 

Steep  for  one  hour  in  a  covered  dish,  strain,  and 
take  a  wineglassful  morning  and  evening. 

A  powEEFUL  Anthelmintic,  for  dispelling  worms 
from  children. 

Sennse, 3ij. 

Mannse, 3j. 

Spigeliae,         Iss. 

Foeniculi,        '3ij. 

Boiling  water, one  pint. 

Steep  for  an  hour  in  a  covered  vessel. 
Dose,  for  a  child  from  two  to  four  years  old,  a 
wineglassful  three  times  a  day. 


A  CATALOGUE 


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The  Pictorial  Bible,  being  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  according  to 
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gravings, representing  the  Historical  Events  after  celebrated  pictures  • 
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urrM,    4.        ■    y  .         .  N.Y.  Evangelist. 

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"Its  abundant  and  beautiful  illustrations  adapt  it  for  a  Familv  Bible  and 
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"  It  is  a  superb  pubhcation."— Zton'j  Herald. 

nr.HTill®t^"^''^^*"P.u^'"f  executed  in  a  fine  style  of  the  art,  and  the  paper 
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OR, 

RECOLLECTIONS  OF  OUR  HOME  IN  THE  WEST. 

By  ALICE  CAREY. 

Illustrated  ly  Dakley.     One  vol.,  12mo. 


«  We  do  not  hesitate  to  predict  for  these  sketches  a  wide  popularitjr. 
They  bear  the  true  stamp  of  genius— simple,  natural,  truthful— and  evince 
a  keen  sense  of  the  humor  and  pathos,  of  the  comedy  and  tragedy,  of  life 
in  the  country.  No  one  who  has  ever  read  it  can  forget  the  sad  and  beau- 
tiful story  of  "Mary  Wildermings;  its  weird  fancy,  tenderness,  and  beauty  ; 
its  touching  description  of  the  emotions  of  a  sick  and  suffering  human  spirit, 
and  its  exquisite  rural  pictures.  The  moral  tone  of  Alice  Carey's  writings 
is  unobjectionable  always."— J.  G.  Whittieu. 

"  Miss  Carey's  experience  has  been  in  the  midst  of  rural  occ-apaticns,  in 
the  interior  of  Ohio.  Every  word  here  reflects  this  experience,  in  the  rar- 
est shapes,  and  most  exquisite  hues.  The  opinion  now  appears  to  be  com- 
monly entertained,  that  Alice  Carey  is  decidedly  the  first  of  our  female  au- 
thors ;  an  opinion  which  Fitz-Greene  Halleck,  J.  G.  Whittier,  Dr.  Gnswold, 
Wm.  D.  Gallagher,  Bayard  Taylor,  with  many  others,  have  on  various 
occasions  endorsed." — Illustrated  News. 

"  If  we  look  at  the  entire  catalogue  of  female  writers  of  prose  fiction  in 
this  country,  we  shall  find  no  one  who  approaches  Alice  Carey  in  the  best 
characteristics  of  genius.  Like  all  genuine  authors  she  has  peculiarities ; 
her  hand  is  detected  as  unerringly  as  that  of  Poe  or  Hawthorne ;  as  much 
as  they  she  is  apart  from  others  and  above  others ;  and  her  sketches  of 
country  life  must,  we  think,  be  admitted  to  be  superior  even  to  those  delight- 
ful tales  of  Miss  Milford,  which,  in  a  similar  line,  are  generally  acknowledged 
to  be  equal  to  anything  done  in  'Engld.ud:'— International  Magazine. 

"  Alice  Carey  has  perhaps  the  strongest  imagination  among  the  woaien 
of  this  country.  Her  writings  will  live  longer  than  those  of  any  other 
woman  among  us." — American  Whig  Review. 

"  Alice  Carey  has  a  fine,  rich,  and  purely  original  genius.  Her  country 
stories  are  almost  unequsAed."— Knickerbocker  Magazine. 

"  Miss  Carey's  sketches  are  remarkably  fresh,  and  exquisite  in  delicacy 
humor,  and  pathos.     She  is  booked  for  immortality." — Home  Journal. 

"The  Times  speaks  of  Alice  Carey  as  standing  at  the  head  of  the  living 
female  writers  of  America.  We  go  even  farther  in  our  favorable  judgment 
and  express  the  opinion  that  among  tliose  living  or  dead,  she  has  had  nc 
equal  in  this  country  ;  and  we  know  of  few  in  the  annals  of  English  litera 
lure  who  have  exhibited  superior  gifts  of  real  poetic  genius." — The  (Portland 
Me.)  Eclectic. 


JUST  PUBLISHED, 

THE  LADIES  OF  THE  COVENANT. 

MEMOIRS    OF 

DISTINGUISHED  SCOTTISH  FEMALE  CHARACTERS, 

Embracing  the  Period  of  the  Covenant  and  the  Persecution. 

By  the  rev.  JAMES  ANDERSON. 

In  One  Volume,  Umo.,  cluth,  Price  ^1.25— extra  gilt,  gilt  edges  -$1.75. 

OPINIONS    OF    THE    PRESS. 

««It  is  written  with  great  spirit  and  a  hearty  sympnthy,  and  abounds  in  incidents  of 
more  than  a  romantic  interest,  while  the  type  of  piety  it  discloses  is  the  noblest  and 
most  elevated."— iV.  Y.  Evangelist. 

"  Seldom  has  there  been  a  more  interesting  volume  than  this  in  our  hands.  Stories 
of  Scottish  suffering  for  the  faith  have  always  thrilled  us  ;  but  here  we  have  the  me- 
moirs of  distinguished /em«Zc  characters,  embracing  the  period  of  the  Covenant  and  the 
Persecution,  with  such  tales  of  heroism,  devotion,  trials,  triumphs,  or  deaths,  as  rouse 
subdue,  and  deeply  move  the  heart  of  the  reader."— iV.  Y.  Observer. 

"Many  a  mother  in  Israel  will  have  her  faith  strengthened,  and  her  zeal  awakened, 
and  her  courage  animated  afresh  by  the  example  set  before  her-by  the  cloud  of  wit 
nesses  of  her  own  sex,  who  esteemed  everything— wealth,  honor,  pleasure,  ease,  and 
"life  itself— vastly  inferior  to  the  grace  of  the  Gospel ;  and  who  freely  offered  themselves 
and  all  that  they  had,  to  the  sovereign  disposal  of  Him  who  had  called  them  with  an 
holy  calling;  according  to  his  purpose  and  gra.ce."- Richmond,  (Va.)  Watchman  and 
Observer. 

"The  Scotch  will  read  this  book  because  it  commemorates  their  noble  countrywo- 
men •  Presbyterians  will  like  it,  because  it  records  the  endurance  and  triumphs  of  their 
faith'-  and  the  ladies  will  read  it,  as  an  interesting  memorial  of  what  their  sex  has  done 
in  trying  times  for  truth  and  Mhevty."- Cincinnati  Central  Christian  Herald. 

« It  is°a  record  which,  while  it  confers  honor  on  the  sex,  will  elevate  the  heart,  and 
Ftrengthen  it  to  the  better  performance  of  every  &^ii■^ ."-Richmond  (Va.)  Religious 
Herald. 

"Tlie  Descendants  of  these  saints  are  among  us,  in  this  Pilgrim  land,  and  we  earn- 
estly commend  this  book  to  their  perusal."-PZj/mo«A  Old  Colony  Memorial. 

"There  are  pictures  of  endurance,  trust,  and  devotion,  in  this  volume  of  illustrious 
suffering,  which  are  worthy  of  a  royal  Beitmg."- Ontario  Repository. 

"They  abound  with  incidents  and  anecdotes  illustrative  of  the  times  and  we  need 
scarcely  say  are  deeply  interesting  to  all  who  take  an  interest  in  the  progress  of  Chris- 
tianity."—J3os«o?i  Journal. 

"Mr  Anderson  has  treated  his  subject  ably  ;  and  has  set  forth  in  strong  light  the  en- 
during  faith  and  courage  of  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  Covenanters.  -^N.  Y.  Albion. 

"It°isabook  of  great  attractiveness,  having  not  only  the  freshness  of  novelty  but 
every  element  of  historical  interest.— Courier  and  Enquirer. 

"The  author  is  a  clergyman  of  the  Scottish  kirk,  and  has  executed  his  undertaking 
with  that  spirit  and  fulness  which  might  be  expected  from  one  enjoying  the  best  advan- 
tages for  the  discovery  of  obscure  points  in  the  history  of  Scotland,  and  the  warmest 
sympathy  with  the  heroines  of  his  own  creed,"-  Commercial  Advertiser. 


NARRATIVES 

OF 

SORCERY    AND    MAGIC; 

FROM  THE  MOST  AUTHENTIC  SOURCES. 

By  THOMAS  WRIGHT,  A.  M.,  F.  R.  A. 
In  One  Volume,  Umo.,  CMi  — Phice  $1.25. 


NOTICES  OF  THE  PRESS. 


««  This  is  one  of  the  pleasantest  books  about  witchcraft  that  we  ever  read ; 

and  Mr.  Wright  tells  his  stories  and  conveys  his  information  with  so  much 
spirit  and  good  sense  that  we  are  sorry  he  has  confined  himself  to  only  one 
department  of  a  subject  which  he  is  very  well  able  to  treat  as  a  whole. 
Mr.  Wright  has  rewritten  the  criminal  annals  of  witchcraft  in  a  style  per- 
fectly free  from  any  important  faults  ;  and  he  has  illustrated  his  narrative 
by  rich  collateral  facts  as  could  be  acquired  only  by  long  familiarity  with  a 
pecuUar  and  extensive  branch  of  antiquarian  learning.  We  do  not  see 
then  that  the  fortunes  of  witchcraft  have  aught  to  hope  from  any  narrator 
who  may  attempt  to  supersede  him." — Afhenseum. 

**  This  is  a  very  curious  and  highly  interesting  book.  It  contains  a  series 
of  popular  stories  of  sorcery  and  magic  (the  first  chiefly)  and  their  victims, 
from  the  period  of  the  middle  ages  down  to  that  of  the  last  executions  for 
witchcraft  in  England  and  America.  Mr.  Wright  tells  these  stories  admi- 
rably ;  and  without  marring  their  effect  as  illustrations  of  the  respective 
phases  of  corrupt  or  imperfect  civilization  to  which  they  were  incident,  his 
clear  comments  point  the  truth  or  philosophy  of  the  individual  case  indepen- 
dent of  its  subjection  to  general  causes  or  influences.  The  range  of  infor- 
mation in  the  book  is  extraordinarily  wide,  and  it  is  popularly  set  forth 
throughout,  without  a  touch  of  pedantry  or  a  dull  page." — Examiner. 

«'  From  this  wide  field  Mr.  Wright  has  selected  two  parts  for  illustration 
viz.,  sorcery  and  magic  ;  and  must  have  devoted  much  reading  and  research 
to  produce  so  comprehensive  a  view  of  them,  not  only  in  England  and 
Scotland,  but  in  France,  Spain,  Italy,  Germany,  Sweden,  and  New 
England." — Literary  Gazette. 


For  Schools,  Academies,  and  Self-Instruction 

THE 

AMERICAN     DRAWING-BOOK. 

BY  JOHN  G.  CIIAP3IAN,  N.  A. 

This  Work  will  be  xjublishcd  in  Parts  ;  iu  the  coarse  of  which — 

PUIMAUY  INSTRirCTIONS  AND  RUDIMKNTS  OF  DRAWING: 

DRAWING  FROM  NATURE  —  MATKRIA  f.S  AND  MKTHODS: 

J'KRSPECTIVK  — COMPOSITION  — LAN  DEC  A  PK  — FIG  URKS,  ETC  : 

DRAWING.  AS  Al'PLlCAULE  TO  THE  MECHANIC  ARTS: 

PAINTING  IN  OIL  AND  WATER  COLORS: 

THE  PRINCIPLES  OF  LIGHT  AND  SHADE: 

EXTERNAL    ANATOMY  OF  THE    HUMAN    FORM,  AND  COMPARATIVE 

ANATOMY: 
THE  VARIOUS  METHODS  OF  ETCHING,  ENGRAVING,  MODELLING,  Etc 

Will  be  severally  treated,  separately ;  so  tliat,  as  far  as  practicable,  each 
Part  will  be  complcle  in  itself,  and  form,  in  the  whole,  "  a  Mainial  of 
Jnformatiqn  sufficient  for  all  ilie  purposes  of  the  Amateur,  and  Basis 
of  Study  for  the  Professional  Artist,  as  well  as  a  valuable  Assistant 
to  Teachers  in  Public  and  Private  Schools  ;"  to  whom  it  is  especially 
recommended,  as  a  work  destined  to  produce  a  revolution  in  the  sys- 
tem of  popular  education,  by  making  the  Arts  of  Desi.ijn  accessible 
and  familiar  to  all,  from  the  concise  and  intelligible  manner  in  which 
the  subject  is  treated  throughout. 

The  want  of  such  a  wcik,  has  been  the  great  cause  of  neglect  in  this 
important  branch  of  education  ;  and  this  want  is  at  once  and  fully  sup- 
plied by  the  — 

AMERICAN     DRAN/VING-BOOK  : 

npon  which  Mr.  Chapman  has  been  for  years  enga.£(ed  ;  and  it  is  now 
pi-oduced,  without  regard  to  expense,  in  all  its  details,  and  published  at 
a  price  to  ^place  it  \vithin  the  means  of  every  one. 

The  Work  will  be  published  in  large  quarto  form,  put  up  in  substan- 
tial covers,  and  issued  as  rapidly  aa  the  careful  execution  of  the  numer- 
ous engravings,  and  the  mechanical  perfection  of  the  whole,  will  allow 
Any  one  Part  may  be  had  separately 


Price  5  0  Cents  eacJi  Part. 

1^"  The  DRAWING  COPY-BOOKS,  intended  as  auxiliary 
to  the  Work,  in  assisting  Teachers  to  carry  out  the  .system  of  instruction, 
especially  in  the  Primary  and  Elementary  parts,  form  a  new  and  valu- 
able addition  to  the  me;ins  of  instruction.  They  will  be  sold  at  a  cost 
little  beyond  tlmt  of  ordinary  blank  books. 


CHAPMAN 

ox 


BEING   PART    III.    OF    THE   AMERICAN    DRAWING-BOOK. 


NOTICES  OF  THE  PRESS. 


"  The  nation  may  well  be  proud  of  this  admirable  work.  In  design  and 
execution,  the  artist  has  been  singularly  felicitous  ;  and  nothing  can  surpass 
the  beauty,  correctness,  and  finish  of  style,  in  which  the  pubhsher  has  pre- 
eented  it  to  his  countrymen.  The  book  is  strictiy  what  it  claims  to  be — a 
teacher  of  the  art  of  Drawing.  The  method  is  so  thorough,  comprehensive, 
and  progressive  ;  its  rules  so  wise,  exact,  and  clearly  laid  down  ;  and  its  classic 
illustrations  are  so  skilfully  adapted  to  train  the  eye  and  hand,  that  no  pupil 
who  faithfully  follows  its  guidance,  can  fail  to  become,  at  least,  a  correct 
draughtsman.  We  have  been  especially  pleased  with  the  treatise  on  Perspec- 
tive, which  entirely  surpasses  anything  that  we  have  ever  met  with  upon 
that  difficult  branch  of  art." — Spirit  of  the  Age. 

"  Perspective,  is  one  of  the  most  difficult  branches  of  drawing,  and  one  the 
least  susceptible  of  verbal  explanation.  But  so  clearly  are  its  principles  devel- 
oped in  the  beautiful  letter-press,  and  so  exquisitely  are  they  illusti-ated  by  the 
engravings,  that  the  pupil's  way  is  opened  most  invitingly  to  a  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  both  the  elements  and  application  of  Perspective." — Home  Journal. 

"  It  treats  of  Perspective  with  a  masterly  hand.  The  engravings  are  superb, 
and  the  typography  unsurpassed  by  any  book  with  which  we  are  acquainted. 
It  is  an  honor  to  the  author  and  publisher,  and  a  credit  to  our  common  coun- 
try."— Scientific  American. 

"  This  number  is  devoted  to  the  explanation  of  Perspective,  and  treats  that 
difficult  subject  with  admirable  clearness,  precision,  and  comjjleteness.  The 
plates  and  letter-press  of  this  work  are  executed  with  uncommon  beauty.  It 
has  received  the  sanction  of  many  of  oiir  most  eminent  artists,  and  can  scarcely 
be  commended  too  highly." — N.  Y.  Tribune. 

"  This  present  number  is  dedicated  to  the  subject  of  Perspective — com- 
mencing with  the  elements  of  Geometry — and  is  especially  valuable  to  build- 
ers, carpenters,  and  other  artisans,  being  accompanied  with  beautiful  illustra- 
tive designs  dra\\Ti  by  Chapman,  and  further  simplified  by  plain  and  perspic- 
uous directions  for  the  guidance  of  the  student.  Indeed,  the  whole  work, 
from  its  undeviating  simplicity,  exhibits  the  hand  of  a  master.  We  trust  this 
highly  useful  and  elevated  branch  of  art  will  hereafter  become  an  integral  por- 
tion of  public  education,  and  as  it  is  more  easily  attainable,  so  will  it  ultimately 
be  considered  an  indispensable  part  of  elementary  instruction.  Its  cheapness 
is  only  rivalled  by  its  excellence,  and  the  artistic  beauty  of  its  illustrations  is 
only  equalled  by  the  dignified  ease  and  common  sense  exemplified  in  the 
written  directions  that  accompany  each  lesson. — Poughkcepsie  Telegraph." 

"  The  subject  of  Perspective  we  should  think  would  interest  every  mechanic 
in  the  country;  indeed,  after  all,  this  is  the  class  to  be  the  most  benefited  by 
sound  and  thorough  instruction  in  drawing." — Dispatch. 

"  Permit  me  here  to  say  I  regard  your  Drawing-Book  as  a  treasure.  I  was 
a  farmer-boy,  and  it  was  while  daily  following  the  plough,  that  I  became  ac- 
quainted with  the  first  number  of  Chapman's  Drawing-Book.  I  found  in  it 
just  what  I  desired — a  plain,  sure  road  to  thjrt  excellence  in  the  Art  ot  Arts,  that 
my  boyish  mind  had  pictured  as  being  so  desirable,  the  first  step  toward  which 
I  had  taken  by  making  rude  sketches  upon  my  painted  ploughbeam,  or  using 
the  barn-door  as  my  easel,  while  with  colored  rotten-stone  I  first  took  wessons 
from  Nature.  I  am  now  at  college.  I  have  a  class  at  drawing,  and  find  in  the 
eeveral  numbers  I  have  obtained,  the  true  road  for  the  teacher  also." — Eziract 
Jrom  a  Utter  recently  received. 


JUST  PUBLISHED, 

l7i  one  Volume,  12/no.,  cloth,  PiiiuE  $1.25, 

THE 

NIGHT-SIDE  OF  MTURE ; 

OR, 

ailOBTB  AI^D  GnOST-SE£S:E.S. 

BY  CATHERINE  CROWE, 

AUTHOH    OF    '<SUSAIf    HOPLET,"    "  LILLT    DAWSON,"    ETC. 


OPINIONS  OF  THE   PRESS. 


This  book  treats  of  allegorical  dreams,  presentiments,  trances,  apparitions, 
troubled  spirits,  haunted  houses,  etc.,  and  will  be  read  with  interest  by  many 
because  it  comes  from  a  source  laying  claim  to  considerable  talent,  and  ia 
written  by  one  who  really  believes  all  she  says,  and  urges  her  reasonings  with 
a  good  deal  of  earnestness. — Albany  Argus. 

It  embraces  a  vast  collection  of  marvellous  and  supernatural  stories  of  su- 
pernatural occurrences  out  of  the  ordinary  course  of  events. — iV.  ¥.  Globe. 

Miss  Crowe  has  proved  herself  a  careful  and  most  industrious  compiler. 
She  has  gathered  materials  from  antiquity  and  from  modern  times,  and  gives 
to  English  and  American  readers  the  ghost-stories  that  used  to  frighten  the 
young  ones  of  Greece  and  Rome,  as  well  as  those  that  accomplish  a  similar 
end  in  Germany  and  other  countries  of  modern  Europe. — Phila.  Bulletin. 

It  is  written  in  a  philosophical  spii-if. — Philadelphia  Courier. 

This  queer  volume  has  excited  considerable  attention  in  England.  It  is  not 
a  catchpenny  affair,  but  is  an  intelligent  inquiry  into  the  asserted  facts  respect- 
ing ghosts  and  apparitions,  and  a  psychological  discussion  upon  the  reasona- 
bleness of  a  belief  in  their  existence. — Boston  Post. 

In  this  remarkable  work,  IMiss  Crowe,  who  writes  with  the  vigor  and  grace 
of  a  woman  of  strong  sense  and  high  cultivation,  collects  the  most  remarkable 
and  best  authenticated  accounts,  traditional  and  recorded,  of  preternatural  vis- 
itations and  appearances. — Boston  Transcript. 

This  is  a  copious  chronicle  of  what  we  are  compelled  to  believe  authentic 
instances  of  communication  between  the  material  and  spiritual  world.  It  ia 
written  in  a  clear,  vigorous,  and  fresh  style,  and  keeps  the  reader  in  a  con- 
Btant  excitement,  yet  without  resorting  to  claptrap. — Day-Book. 

The  book  is  filled  with  facts,  which  are  not  to  be  disputed  except  by  actual 
proof.  They  have  long  been  undisputed  before  the  world.  The  class  of  facta 
are  mainly  of  a  kind  thought  by  most  persons  to  be  "  mysterious  ;"  but  there 
will  be  found  much  in  the  book  calculated  to  throw  Ught  upon  the  heretofore 
mysterious  phenomena. — Providence  Mirror. 

This  book  is  one  which  appears  in  a  very  opportune  time  to  command  at- 
tention, and  should  be  read  by  all  who  are  desirous  of  information  in  regard 
to  things  generally  called  mysterious,  relating  to  the  manifestations  of  the 
spirit  out  of  man  and  in  him.—  Traveller. 

This  is  not  only  a  curious  but  also  a  very  able  work.  It  is  one  of  the 
most  interesting  books  of  the  season — albeit  the  reader's  hair  will  occasional- 
ly rise  on  end  as  he  turns  over  the  pages,  especially  if  he  reads  alone  far  into 
the  night. — Zion's  Herald. 

A  very  appropriate  work  for  these  days  of  mysterious  tappings,  but  one 
which  shows  that  the  author  has  given  the  subjects  upon  which  she  treats 
considerable  study,  and  imparts  the  knowledge  derived  in  a  concise  manner. 
— Bosto  advening  Gazette. 

This  IS  undoubtedly  the  most  remarkable  book  of  the  month,  and  can  not 
fail  to  interest  all  classes  of  people. —  Water-  Cure  Journal. 

To  the  lovers  of  the  strange  and  mysterious  in  nature,  this  volume  will  poa- 
eess  an  attractive  interest. — N.  Y.  Truth-Teller. 

The  lovers  of  the  marvellous  will  delight  in  its  perusal..— Com.  Advertiser 


THE   WORKS 


OF 

EDGAR    ALLAN     POE: 

WITH  NOTICES  OF  HIS  LIFE  AND  GENIUS, 

BY  J.  R.  LOWELL,  N.  P.  WILLIS,  AND  R.  W.  GRISWOLD. 

Li  two  Volumes,  l2mo.,  loith  a  Pobthait  of  the  Author. 

PtticE,  Two  Dollahs  akd  Fifty  Cents. 

NOTICES  OF  TiJE  TREPS. 

"  The  edition  is  published  for  the  benefit  of  his  mothcr-in-]aw,  Mrs.  Maria 
Clemm,  for  whose  sake  we  may  wijli  it  the  fullest  success.  It  however,  de- 
serves, and  will  undoubtedly  obtain,  a  large  circulation  from  the  desire  eo  many 
wiU  feel  to  lay  by  a  memorial  of  this  singularly-gifted  writer  and  unfortunate 
man." — Fhiladelphii,>  North  American. 

"  Poe's  writings  are  distinguished  for  vigoious  and  minute  analysis,  and 
the  skiU  with  which  he  has  employed  the  sti'ange  fascination  of  mystery  and 
terror.  Thei-e  is  an  air  of  reality  in  all  his  narrations — a  dwelling  upon  partic- 
ulars, and  a  faculty  of  interesthig  you  in  them  such  as  is  possessed  by  fevf 
writers  except  those  who  are  giving  their  own  individual  experiences.  The 
reader  can  scarcely  divest  his  mind,  even  in  reading  the  most  fanciful  of  his 
etories,  that  the  events  of  it  have  not  actually  occmTed,  and  the  characters  had 
a  real  existence." — Philadelphia  Ledger. 

"■  We  need  not  say  that  these  volu2ieg  will  be  found  rich  in  intellectual 
excitements,  and  abounding  in  remarkable  specimens  of  vigorous,  beautiful, 
and  highly  suggestive  composition ;  they  are  all  that  remains  to  us  of  a  man 
whose  uncommon  genius  it  would  be  folly  to  deny." — N.  Y.  Tribu7ie. 

«'Mr.  Poe's  intellectual  character — his  genius — is  stamped  upon  all  his  produc- 
tions, and  we  shall  place  these  his  works  in  the  library  among  those  books  not 
to  be  parted  with." — N.  Y.  Commercial  Advertiser. 

"  These  works  have  a  funereal  cast  as  well  in  the  melancholy  portrait  pre- 
fixed and  the  title,  as  in  the  tliree  pallbearing  editors  who  accompany  them 
in  public.  They  are  the  memorial  of  a  singular  man,  possessed  perhaps  of  as 
great  mere  literary  ingenuity  and  mechanical  dexterity  of  style  and  manage- 
ment as  any  the  country  has  produced.  Some  of  the  tales  in  the  collection 
are  as  complete  and  admirable  as  anything  of  their  kind  in  the  language." — 
Military  Review. 

"  A  complete  collection  of  the  works  of  one  of  the  most  talented  and  singu- 
lar men  of  the  day.  Mr.  Poe  was  a  genius,  but  an  erratic  one — he  was  a  comet 
or  a  meteor,  not  a  star  or  sun.  His  genius  was  that  almost  contradiction  of 
terms,  an  analj^tic  genius.  Genius  is  nearly  universally  synthetic — but  Poe  was 
an  exception  to  all  rules.  Ho  would  build  up  a  poem  as  a  bricklayer  builds  a 
wall ;  or  rather,  he  would  begin  at  the  top  and  build  downward  to  the  base  ; 
and  yet,  into  the  poem  so  manufactured,  he  would  manage  to  breathe  the  breath 
of  hfe.  And  this  fact  proved  that  it  was  not  all  a  manufacture — that  the  poem 
was  also,  to  a  certain  degree,  a  growth,  a  real  plant,  taking  root  in  the  mind, 
and  watered  by  Xhe  springs  of  the  soul." — Saturday  Post. 

"  We  have  just  spent  some  delightful  hours  in  looking  over  these  two  vol- 
umes, which  contain  one  of  the  most  pleasing  additions  to  o\ir  literature  with 
which  we  have  met  for  a  long  time.  They  comprise  the  works  of  the  late 
Edgar  A-  Poe — pieces  which  for  years  have  been  going  '  the  roitnds  of  the 

Sress,'  and  are  now  first  collected  when  their  author  is  beyond  the  reach  of 
umar.  praise.  We  feel,  however,  that  these  productions  will  live.  They 
bear  1^ie.  stamp  of  true  genius  ;  and  if  their  reputation  begins  with  a  '  fit  audi- 
ence 'ii'^ugh  few,'  the  circle  will  be  constantly  widening,  and  they  will  retain  a 
proiTiinent  place  in  our  hterature." — Rev.  Dr.  Kip 


m^rn'miLW 


'7 

rOUE  SERIES  OF  TWELVE  BOOKS  EACH, 

FROM   DESIGNS   BY  J.   G.   CHAPMAN. 


First  Series— Price  One  Cent. 

1.  Tom  Thumb's  Picture  Alphabet,  in  Rhyme. 

2.  Rhymes  for  the  Nursery. 

3.  Pretty  Rhymes  about  Birds  and  Animals,  for  little  Boys  and  Girls. 

4.  Lil'e  on  the  Farm,  in  Amusing  Rhyme. 

5.  Tlie  Story-Book  for  Good  Little  Girls. 

6.  The  Beacon,  or  Warnings  to  Thoughtless  Boys. 

7.  The  Picture  Book,  with  Stories  in  Easy  Words,  for  Little  Readers. 

8.  The  Little  Sketch-Book,  or  Useful  Objects  Illustrated. 

9.  flistory  of  Domestic  Animals. 

10.  The  Museum  of  Birds. 

11.  The  Little  Keepsake,  a  Poetic  Gift  for  Children. 

12.  The  Book  of  the  Sea,  for  the  Insti-uction  of  Little  Sailors. 

Second  Series— Price  Tivo  Cents. 

1.  The  ABC  in  Verse,  for  Young  Learners. 

2.  Figures  in  Verse,  and  Simple  Rhymes,  for  Little  Learners. 

3.  Riddles  for  the  Nursery. 

4.  The  Child's  Story-Book. 

5.  The  Christmas  Dream  of  Little  Chaz-lea. 

6.  The  Basket  of  Strawberries. 

7.  Story  for  the  Fourth  of  July,  an  Epitome  of  American  History 

8.  The  Two  Friends,  and  Kind  Little  James. 

9.  The  Wagon-Boy,  or  Trust  in  Providence. 

10.  Paulina  and  Her  Pets. 

11.  Simple  Poems  for  Infant  INIinds. 

12.  Littie  Poems  for  Little  Children. 

Tliird  Series— Price  Four  Cents. 

1.  The  Alphabet  in  Rhyme. 

2.  The  ^lultijilication  TuIjIc  in  Rhyme,  for  Young  Arithmeticians. 

3.  The  Practical  Joke,  or  the  Christmas  Story  of  Uncle  Ned. 

4.  Little  George,  or  Temptation  Resisted. 

5.  The  Young  Arithmetician,  or  the  Reward  of  Perseverance. 

6.  The  Traveller's  Story,  or  the  Village  Bar-Room. 

7  The  Sagacity  and  Intelligence  of  the  Horse. 

8.  The  Young  Sailor,  or  the  Sea-Life  of  Tow  Bowline. 

9.  The  Selfish  Girl,  a  Tale  of  Truth. 

10.  Manual  or  Finger  Alphabet,  used  by  the  Deaf  and  Dumb. 

11.  The  Story-Book  in  Ver.^e. 

12.  The  Flower- Vase,  or  Pretty  Poems  for  Good  little  Children. 

Fourth  Series— Price  Six  Cents. 

1.  The  Book  of  Fables,  in  Prose  5«id  Verse 

2.  The  Little  Casket,  tilled  with  Pleasant  Stories. 

3.  Home  Pastimes,  or  Enigmas,  Charades,  Rebuses,  Connndnims,  etc. 

4.  The  Juvenile  Sunday-Book,  adapted  to  the  Improvement  of  the  Younjj 

5.  William  Seaton  and  the  Butterfly,  with  its  Interesting  History. 

6.  The  Young  Girl's  Book  of  Healthful  Amusements  and  Exercises. 

7.  Theodore  Carleton,  or  Perseverance  against  Ill-Fortune. 

8  ITie  Aviary,  or  Child's  Book  of  Birds. 

9  The  Jungle,  or  Child's  Book  of  Wild  Animals. 

10.  Sagacity  and  Fidelity  of  the  Dog,  Elustiated  by  Interesting  Anecdotes. 

11.  Coverings  for  the  Head  and  Feet,  in  all  Ages  and  Countries, 

12.  Romance  of  Indian  History,  or  Incidents  in  the  Early  Settlements. 


Jim;  foHiitiful;  ei  ^luiqti^  Wut 

JUST    COMPLETED, 

EPISODES  OF  INSECT  LIFE, 

BY  ACHETA  DOMESTICA. 

IN  THREE  SERIES,  BEAUTIFULLY  ILLUSTRATED, 

I.   INSECTS    OF   SPEINa. 
II.   INSECTS    OF   SUMMER. 
III.    INSECTS    OF   WINTER. 
Each  Volume  complete  in  Itself— Price  $2.00. 
The  same^  elegantly  colored  after  Nature^  ona'king  a 
superb  Gift  Booh  for  the  Solydays, 

Pkice  $4.00  per  Volume. 


OPINIONS    OF    THE    PRESS. 

"  These  volumes  are  highly  creditable  to  American  taste  in  every  department  of  book- 
making  ; — it  is  impossible  to  give  an  idea  of  the  perfection  of  vi'orkmanship  and  the  ad- 
mirable keeping  of  parts  they  exhibit.  In  order  to  appreciate  this,  one  must  see  the 
volmnes,  and  having  seen  them,  he  will  at  once  transfer  them  to  his  ovra  table,  for  the 
instruction  and  amusement  of  old  and  young." — N.  Y.  Observer. 

"Moths,  glow-worms,  lady-birds,  May-flies,  bees,  and  a  variety  of  other  inhabitants  of 
the  insect  world,  are  descanted  upon  in  a  pleasing  style,  combining  scientific  information 
with  romance,  in  a  manner  peculiarly  attractive.'" — Commercial  Advertiser. 

"  The  style  is  the  farthest  possible  remove  from  pedantiy  and  dullness,  every  page 
teems  with  delightful  matter,  and  the  whole  is  thoroughly  furnished  with  grace  and 
beauty,  as  well  as  truth.  One  giving  himself  over  to  its  fascinating  charms,  might  read- 
ily beheve  himself  fast  on  to  the  borders,  if  not  in  the  very  midst  of  fairy  land." — Roches- 
ter Daily  Democrat. 

"  We  have  in  this  work  deep  philosophy  and  an  endless  flow  of  humor,  and  lessons 
Bet  before  us,  drawn  from  ants,  beetles,  and  butterflies,  which  we  might  do  well  to  pon- 
der. We  can  think  of  nothing  more  calculated  to  delight  the  passing  hour  than  the 
beautiful  delineations  we  find  in  these  three  volumes." — Christian  Intelligencer. 

"  The  whole  insect  world  is  represented  in  these  volumes,  many  of  them  disguised  so 
as  to  present  what  politicians  would  call  a  compromise  between  a  human  and  an  insect 
We  cordially  commend  these  volumes  to  the  attention  of  our  readerB."—  Boston  Museum. 

"A  book  elegant  enough  for  the  centre  table,  witty  enough  for  after  dinner,  and  wise 
enough  for  the  study  and  the  school-room.  One  of  the  beautiful  lessons  of  this  work  is 
the  kindly  view  it  takes  of  nature.  Nothing  is  made  in  vain,  not  only,  but  nothing  is 
made  ugly  or  repulsive.  A  charm  is  throwrf  around  every  object,  and  life  suifused 
through  all,  suggestive  of  the  Creator's  goodness  and  wisdom." — N.  Y.  Evangelist. 

"  WTiat  a  monument  is  here  raised  to  that  wonderful,  tiny  race,  so  often  disregarded, 
but  which  nevertheless  amply  repays  the  care  we  may  bestow  in  studying  their  pecu- 
liarities. The  interest  of  the  reader  of  these  volumes  is  well  sustained  by  the  humor 
and  sprightliness  of  the  writer." — Zioji's  Herald. 

"  It  is  a  beautiful  specimen  of  book-making.  The  character  of  the  contents  may  be 
already  known  to  our  readers  from  the  long  and  very  favorable  attention  they  have  re- 
ceived from  the  English  reviewers.  The  illustrations  are  at  once  grotesque  and  signifi- 
cant."— Boston  Post. 

"  The  book  is  one  of  especial  beauty  and  utility,  and  we  heartily  thank  the  publisher 
for  his  enterprise  in  putting  it  within  the  reach  of  American  readers.  It  is  worthy  of  a 
place  in  every  family  hbrary.  Elegantly  illustrated  and  humorously  yet  chastely  writ- 
ten, it  is  calculated  to  amuse  aad  instruct  all  classes  of  readers." — Com.  Advertiser. 


NOTICES    OF    KPISODES    OF    INSECT    LIFE. 

"A  more  charming  book,  fresh  with  tho  fragrance  of  tho  country  air  and  musical 
with  the  rustle  of  insect  wings,  is  not  likely  to  be  seen  often.  In  the  clearaese  of  its 
type,  the  beauty  of  the  illustrations,  and  tiie  whole  manner  of  its  presentment,  the 
"  Episodes"  fairly  gives  the  huiral  to  its  tasteful  and  enterprising  publisher." — Lit.  World. 

"  There  is  a  moral,  we  may  say  a  religious  lesson,  inculcated  in  every  chapter  of  thia 
book." — Watchman  and  JRfJlcctor. 

"  The  style  is  easy,  flowing,  natural,  and  happy.  The  ideas  arc  such  that  the  reader 
will  arise  from  their  perusal,  a  '  wiser  and  a  better  man.'  " — Courant. 

"We  defy  any  one  to  rise  from  its  perusal,  without  thanking  the  book  for  many  new 
ideas,  added  to  one's  previous  stock  of  information,  as  well  as  feeling  better  and  more 
kindly  disposed,  for  the  lessons  of  humanity  and  benevolence  it  teaches." — Bost.  Courier. 

"  A  most  attractive  work  to  all  ages,  for  while  it  is  amusing  and  playful  in  its  language, 
it  is  replete  with  valuable  information.  It  might  be  called  Science  made  pleasure,  or 
Fact  made  fanciful.  A  finer  specimen  of  typography  is  rarely  seen,  and  we  commend 
it  to  all  those  who  would  see  in  nature  constant  illustrations  of  the  power  and  goodness 
of  its  great  Creator."— Newark  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  Wonderfully  beautiful,  graceful,  and  entertaining.  Children  can  read  it  with  un- 
derstanding, and  be  enraptured  by  it ;  and  this  is  no  small  thing  to  say  of  a  work  not 
especially  intended  for  juveniles." — Ontario  Repository. 

"  By  a  happy  combination  of  taste  and  knowledge — science  and  poetry,  with  anec- 
dote and  description,  the  naturalist  and  the  mere  'reader  for  amusement  are  equally 
gratified.  It  is  a  book  for  the  library, — and  just  the  thing  as  a  companion  for  a  journey, 
or  the  winter  evening  fireside.  It  is  well  adapted  for  "the  sick-chamber  too,  and  the 
weary  invalid  as  he  reads  may  fancy  that  he  smells  again  the  sweet  fragrance  of  spring 
flowers,  and  listens  to  the  hum  of  a  bright  summer's  day  ;  and,  not  lea^t  of  all,  the  ten- 
dency of  these  beautiful  volumes,  is  to  elevate  our  conceptions  of  the  grandeur  and  love 
cf  the  Almighty  Creator." — Old  Colony  Memorial. 

"This  is  a  work  of  rare  and  varied  beauties.  It  is  beautiful  within  and  without; 
beautiful  in  conception  and  in  execution  ;  beautiful  as  it  comes  from  the  hands  of  the 
author,  the  engraver,  the  printer  and  the  binder." — Albany  Argus. 

"This  is  one  of  the  most  tasteful  books  of  the  season,  very  entertaining  and  amusing, 
and  at  the  same  time  the  work  ot  an  accomplished  naturalist." — Christian  Register. 

"  The  author  has  availed  himself  not  only  of  the  greater  abundance  of  material  which 
the  summer  months  supply,  but  also  of  the  brighter  hues  atforded  by  the  summer  sun- 
shine, for  the  enrichment  of  his  glowing  descriptions,  which  become  gorgeous  while 
i-eflecting  a  parti-colored  glory  that  eclipses  the  splendor  of  Solomon." — Journ.  of  Com, 

No  work  published  during  the  year,  has  received  so  extensive  and  favorable  notices 
from  the  British  Quarterlies  and  Newspapers  as  the  Episodes  of  Insect  Life,  A  few  are 
here  given  as  specimens  of  the  whole. 

"  The  whole  pile  of  Natural  History — fable,  poetry,  theory,  and  fact — is  stuck  over 
with  quaint  apothegms  and  shrewd  maxims  deduced,  for  the  benefit  of  man,  from  the 
contemplation  of  such  tiny  monitors  as  gnats  and  moths.  Altogether,  the  book  is  curi- 
ous and  interesting,  quaint  and  clever,  genial  and  well-informed." — Morning  Chronicle, 

"We  have  seldom  been  in  company  with  so  entertaining  a  guide  to  the  Insect 
World." — AthencEum. 

"  Rich  veins  of  humor  in  a  groundwork  of  solid,  yet  entertaining  information.  Al- 
though lightness  and  amusement  can  find  subject-matter  in  every  page,  the  under  cur- 
rent of  the  "  Episodes"  is  substance  and  accurate  infoi"mation." — Ladies'  Newspaper. 

"  A  history  of  many  of  the  more  remarkable  tribes  and  species,  with  a  graphic  and 
imaginative  coloring,  often  equally  original  and  happy,  and  accompanied  both  by  accu- 
rate figures  of  species,  and  ingenious  fanciful  vignettes." — Annual  Address  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Entomological  Society. 

"This  second  series  of  "Episodes"  is  even  more  delightful  than  its  predecessor. 
Never  have  entomological  lessons  been  given  in  a  happier  strain.  Young  and  old,  wise 
and  simple,  grave  and  gay,  can  not  turn  over  its  pages  without  deriving  pleasure  and 
information." — Sun. 

"The  headpiece  illustrations  of  each  chapter  are  beautiful  plates  of  the  insects  under 
description  in  all  their  stages,  capitally  grouped,  and  with  a  scenic  background  full  of 
playful  fancy  ;  while  the  tailpieces  form  a  series  of  quaint  vignettes,  some  of  which  are 
especially  clever." — Atlas. 

"The  book  includes  solid  instruction  as  well  as  genial  and  captivating  mirth.  The 
icientific  knowledge  of  tho  writer  is  thoroughly  rcMible.— Examiner. 


MEN  AND  WOMEN 


OF  THE 


EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY. 

By   ARSENE    HOUSSAYE. 

With  Beautifully-Engraved  Portraits  of  Louis  XV.  and  Made,  de  Pompadour. 
In  Two  Volumes,  l2mo.,  Cloth — Price  $2.50. 


DUFRESXY. 
FONTENELLE 
MARIVAUX. 
PIRON. 


CO  NTE  NTS. 

LOUIS  XV. 

GREUZE. 

BOUCHER. 

THE  VAXLOOS. 
THE  ABBE  PREVOST.    LANTARA. 
GENTIL-BERNARD.         WATTEAU. 
FLORIAN.  LA  MOTTE. 

BOUFFLERS.  DEHLE. 

DIDEROT.  ABBE  TRUBLET. 

GRETRY.  BUFFON. 


CARDINAL  DE  BERNIS. 

CREBILLON  THE  GAY. 

MARIE  ANTOINETTE. 

MADE    DE  POMPADOUR. 

VADE. 

MLLE   CAMARGO. 

MLLE    CLAIRON. 

MAD.  DE  LAPOPELINIERE 

SOPHIE    A.RNOULD. 

CREBILLON  THE  TRAGIC. 

MLLE    GUIMARD. 


RIVEROL.  DORAT. 

THREE    PAGES    IN    THE    LIFE    OF    DANCOURT. 
A    PROMENADE    IN    THE    PALAIS-ROYAL. 
LE    CHEVALIER    DE    LA    CLOS. 
"A   series    of  pleasantly  desultory  papers  —  neither  history,  biography* 
criticism,  nor  romance,  but  compounded  of  all  four:   always  lively  and 
graceful,  and  often  sparkling  with  esprit,  that  subtle  essence  which  may  be 
so  much  better  illustrated  than  defined.    M.  Houssaye's  aim  in  these  sketch- 
es—  for  evidently  he  had  an  aim  beyond  the  one  he  alleges  of  pastime  for 
his  leisure  hours  —  seems  to  have  been  to  discourse  of  persons  rather  cele- 
brated than  known,  whose   names  and  works  are  familiar  to  all,  but  with 
whose  characters  and  histories  few  are  much  acquainted.     To  the  mass  of 
readers,  his  book  will  have  the   charm   of  freshness ;  the  student  and  the 
man  of  letters,  who  have  already  drunk  at  the  springs  whence  M.  Houssaye 
has  derived  his  inspiration  and  materials,  will  pardon  any  lack  of  novelty 
for  the  sake  of  the  spirit  and  originality  of  the  treatment." — Blackwood. 


IS    PRESS, 

PHILOSOPHERS  AND  ACTRESSES. 


BY  THE   SAME   AUTHOR. 


C                                DUE  DATE 

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in  USA 

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